Electronic Cigarette Battery Explosion in Pocket Causes Burns... The Cause Is 'This'

Explosion suspected due to short circuit with the key that was inside
Sustained burns but fortunately surgery is not required

A man in his 40s from the UK suffered burns on his leg after an electronic cigarette battery he kept in his pocket exploded. The man believes that keys in his pocket caused a short circuit, leading to the battery explosion.

According to The Mirror, Daily Mail, and other sources on the 25th (local time), 41-year-old Dave Johnson from West Yorkshire was burned on his leg due to an electronic cigarette explosion at the end of last month.

Dave had some damaged skin removed and was hospitalized for about a week to receive additional treatment after being given antibiotics. He suffered second-degree burns, but surgery or skin grafts were not necessary.
[Photo by Daily Mail]

Dave, who works as a construction worker, was reportedly carrying materials for construction at the time of the accident. While walking, he suddenly heard a sound as if something was about to explode from his pocket, and shortly after, the electronic cigarette battery he had in his pocket exploded.

Dave said, "I heard a sound before the firecracker went off in my pocket."

Dave was burned as his pants caught fire in an instant and was transported to a nearby hospital by a colleague who discovered the accident scene and rushed over. The exploded battery fell to the ground through a hole in his pants.

After being taken to the hospital, Dave had some damaged skin removed and was treated with antibiotics. He was hospitalized for about a week for additional treatment. Although he suffered second-degree burns, surgery or skin grafts were not necessary. Dave said, "I am currently recovering, and the wound is healing well."

Regarding the accident, Dave said, "I felt severe pain in my right leg as if it was dipped in hot water," adding, "Because my pants caught fire, I couldn't put my hand in my pocket to take out the battery."

The cause of the electronic cigarette battery explosion is presumed to be a short circuit caused by contact with keys kept in the pocket.

He said about the explosion, "It was because I carried the battery in the wrong way," explaining, "The charged battery was in my pocket with keys, and it exploded due to a short circuit."

He added, "You should not put batteries in your pocket," and said, "I want to urge others not to make the same mistake as I did."

Lithium Batteries Can Explode if Overheated During Charging or Exposed to External Impact

Lithium batteries, commonly used in electronic cigarettes, mobile phones, electric bicycles, and electric kickboards, can explode or catch fire if they overheat during charging or are subjected to external shocks. Fires mainly occur during battery charging and are known to result from internal circuit disconnections or exposure to external moisture or water.

Meanwhile, on the 4th of this month (local time), a lithium-ion battery installed on an electric bicycle exploded while charging at a hostel in Australia, causing guests to evacuate. One guest suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Lithium batteries, mainly used in electronic cigarettes, mobile phones, electric bicycles, and electric scooters, can explode or catch fire if overheated during charging or exposed to external shocks. Fires mainly occur during battery charging and are known to be caused by internal circuit disconnection or exposure to external moisture or water.

When a lithium battery catches fire, the temperature can soar above 1000 degrees Celsius, causing a thermal runaway phenomenon that is difficult to extinguish and can lead to major accidents. After an explosion, toxic gases are also released, and if a fire occurs underground, smoke and heat cannot be easily vented, resulting in significant damage.

In South Korea, fires involving electric bicycles and electric scooters using batteries are also on the rise. On the 19th of last month, a fire presumed to have been caused by an electric bicycle battery ignition occurred in Guro-gu, Seoul, prompting the dispatch of 45 fire trucks and 153 personnel. At that time, two citizens (one with burns) were injured and taken to the hospital, and three others received emergency treatment at the scene.