Man killed by vape pen explosion in US

AN exploding vape pen hurled fragments into a man’s head, killing him and starting a fire that burned most of his body, a post mortem report in the US has found.

The medical examiner’s post mortem report confirms the vape pen was responsible for the May 5 death of Tallmadge D’Elia, 38, in St Petersburg, Florida.

Such accidents are not unheard of. According to a US Fire Administration report, at least 195 electronic cigarettes exploded or caught fire from 2009 to 2016, and while no deaths were recorded in that time, the explosions caused 133 injuries, 38 of them severe.

Firefighters found Mr D’Elia inside his burning home, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Officials found “extensive” fire damage in Mr D’Elia’s bedroom, where his body was found, but minimal smoke, the report said.