E-cigarette left charging sparks blaze
FIRE chiefs are warning about the dangers of e-cigarettes being left on charge after it is thought one caused a blaze at a house last week.
The first floor of the property on Stryd y Llan, Nefyn, was gutted as 15 firefighters battled the flames.
Crews from Nefyn, Abersoch and Caernarfon were called shortly before noon to the house (inset), thought to be a holiday home, and the blaze was under control at around 12.50pm.
A spokeswoman for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the inferno was most probably sparked by an e-cigarette left on charge.
Gwyn Jones, the service’s community safety manager, said: “This incident highlights how quickly a fire can spread and the importance of using electrical items correctly and operating them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
“The experience of fire and rescue services across the UK is that e-cigarettes can carry an increased risk of fire and we would urge that extra care is needed when using them.
“All e-cigarettes use a rechargeable battery to power the vaporiser and these batteries require recharging on a regular basis.
“We would advise you only ever purchase these products from a reputable source and only use the battery and charger provided with the e-cigarette.
“Always follow the manufacturers instructions and guidance and turn off and unplug them before you go to bed.
“Never leave items on charge or unattended for long periods – e-cigarettes are known to overheat when charging.”
An eyewitness said: “I just saw that one of the outside windows of the house was blackened. I believe it is a holiday letting house.
“There were three fire engines, an ambulance and police at the scene. The fire service are making house-to-house enquiries and safety checks.
“There weren’t any injuries as no one was in the house at the time.”