Stafford Fire Crews Issue Warning After House Fire Caused by Disposable Vape

​​Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a safety warning to residents after a disposable vape caused a fire on Tuesday 12th February at a home on Marston Road in Stafford.

Firefighters were called to the property at 11:45am and arrived to find that the fire had already been extinguished. While no people were injured in the incident, a dog was rescued from the home by the crew and was given oxygen therapy at the scene as a precaution.

​The Danger of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Disposable vapes, like many modern gadgets, contain lithium-ion batteries. While these are usually safe, they can become extremely dangerous if they are damaged, overcharged, or if poor-quality charging cables are used. In this instance, local crews confirmed that the vape was the source of the ignition.

How to Stay Safe

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has shared several "no-nonsense" tips to help prevent similar accidents in our town:

• ​Only use the original charger: Never use a cheap, unbranded cable to charge your devices.

• ​Don't charge overnight: Never leave a vape or phone charging while you are asleep or out of the house.

• ​Avoid soft surfaces: Always charge devices on a hard, flat surface. Charging a vape on a bed or sofa can cause it to overheat quickly.

• ​Dispose of them correctly: Disposable vapes should never be put in your general household waste bin. They are a fire risk to bin lorries and waste centres.

A Local Reminder

Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in the Marston Road fire, but the outcome could have been much worse. This incident highlights why it is vital to have working smoke alarms on every floor of your home and to test them once a week.

Stay safe out there, Stafford. A small check today can prevent a disaster tomorrow.