Accidentally Using Hand Sanitizer While Smoking Causes 'Bang'... Car Explosion in US Parking Lot

A fire broke out in a vehicle parked at a shopping center parking lot in Montgomery County, Maryland, at around 5:30 PM local time on the 15th. Photo by mcfrsPIO (Twitter capture)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] A driver who was smoking in a car used hand sanitizer, causing the vehicle to explode. As hand sanitizers, which can prevent infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, have become an essential item in daily life, caution is necessary.

On the 15th (local time), US ABC News and NBC News reported that around 5:30 p.m. on the 13th, a vehicle at a shopping center parking lot in Rockville, Maryland, was engulfed in large flames.

According to the fire authorities, the driver was smoking inside the car while using hand sanitizer. It is known that the cigarette ember reacted with the alcohol content of the hand sanitizer, causing the fire. The flames started from the driver's seat and soon spread throughout the entire vehicle, which was completely burned down.

The driver suffered first- and second-degree burns on the hands and inner thighs but fortunately quickly brushed off the hands and escaped the vehicle, with no life-threatening injuries reported.

The local fire department stated, "We arrived at the scene and quickly extinguished the fire, but the interior of the car was already completely burned," adding, "The entire vehicle appeared to be engulfed in flames before we could intervene."

The fire authorities warned, "Hand sanitizers with high alcohol content should never be used near fire," and added, "Environments like the inside of a car, where ventilation is poor, are perfect conditions for accidents."

As the accident video went viral on social media, netizens responded with comments such as, "You must let ethanol dry for at least 30 seconds after applying," "I can't believe hand sanitizer's alcohol content can cause fire!", and "It's common sense not to smoke while using hand sanitizer."

NBC News, which reported the accident, said, "Most hand sanitizers contain isopropyl alcohol," and added, "This alcohol is highly flammable and can cause burns if used improperly."

Meanwhile, this is not the first fire accident related to hand sanitizers. In September last year, a woman in Texas, USA, suffered severe burns all over her body after lighting a candle while wearing hand sanitizer.