Dad scarred for life after vape blast

INJURED David Charlton A WORKMAN suffered third-degree burns and was left scarred for life when his vape exploded.

Scaffolder David Charlton said he heard a fizzing noise in his pocket at work, and seconds later, his trousers were on fire.

The unbranded vape melted the fabric and fell on to his van seat, exploding with “an almighty boom”. He said: “It went off like a rocket.”

David, from Crawcrook, Gateshead, Tyneside , said: “I was yelping, trying to put the flames out. My leg was literally on fire.”

Doctors had to peel the melted fabric from his leg and perform skin grafts.

The father of two urged people to check that vape batteries were not from the black market”, adding: “You have to be so careful.”