E-Cigarette Safety Warning Following Nefyn House Fire

Fire officers are warning residents of the dangers of e-cigarettes following a house fire in Nefyn. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Crews from Nefyn, Abersoch and Caernarfon were called to a fire at a property on Stryd y Llan, Nefyn at 11.56am this morning (Friday 5th August). ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The cause is thought to have been an e-cigarette left on charge. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Firefighters used two sets of breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets to tackle the fire. The fire caused 100% fire damage to a bedroom and 100% smoke damage to the rest of the first floor. There was also fire damage to the ground floor ceiling. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Gwyn Jones, 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 when charging. Always follow the manufacturers instructions and guidance and turn off and unplug them before you go to bed. Never mix and match chargers – always use the charger supplied. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Never leave items on charge or unattended for long periods – e-cigarettes are known to overheat when charging.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​