Burnaby man alleges vape pen exploded in his mouth

A young Burnaby man filed a lawsuit claiming he suffered injuries after a vaporizer pen exploded in his mouth.

Shelby Hare says he was using the electronic cigarette Dec. 30, 2016, when it without warning exploded in his mouth, causing flaming material to land on his leg.

In a notice of civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court, he claims the explosion was caused by a defect in the vape pen. He says he suffered a broken jaw and broken teeth, as well as burns to his face and legs and fractured fingers.

“As a result of the explosion and the negligence of the defendants, the plaintiff has suffered and continues to suffer pain, discomfort, loss of enjoyment of life, depression, anxiety, emotional upset and mental injury . ... the plaintiff has undergone and continues to undergo medical care and has sustained and continues to sustain certain special damages and expenses,” the suit states.

The lawsuit says the vape pen was bought by a friend of Hare in the fall of 2016 at a store in Kamloops and was then given to Hare as a gift.

In October 2016, Hare says he purchased a replacement battery at a store in Burnaby called Burnaby Vapor.

No response has yet been filed to the suit that contains allegations that have not been tested in court.

The defendants include EZ Vape, the store where the pen was purchased, Burnaby Vapor, Shenzhen Eigate Technology Co. Ltd. and Pacific Smoke International Inc.