The fire started at a family home on Grey Street, Gainsborough at about 1pm on Friday before spreading through three neighbouring properties. A mother and son were taken to hospital at the time of the explosion, but no injuries have been reported.
An exploding vape has sparked a severe fire that severely damaged four terraced houses, resulting in a mother and son being hospitalised. The blaze began at a family residence on Grey Street, Gainsborough around 1pm on Friday before spreading to three adjacent properties.
Family members stated that the vape was charging on a bed and had “set the house on fire”. The vape began to smoke and the son removed it from the charger, but it immediately exploded in his hand, relatives detailed.
Both mother and son were rushed to hospital at the time of the explosion, though no injuries have been reported. Cherrie Hall, a relative of the affected family, said the mother is “absolutely devastated”.
The distressed mother is the grandmother of Cherrie Hall’s children and is currently in hospital. Cherrie revealed: “I had a phone call from my ex asking if we – me and my partner – could go check his mum’s house as he had messages from people mentioning a fire at his mum’s.
“So of course we drove straight round and saw all the fire engines and the firemen, roofs caved in.”
She added: “Luckily the paramedics were already at the house for a separate thing with grandma’s health when the vape exploded and set the house on fire. She’s absolutely devastated but is so in awe and amazed with the community and how much they’ve helped all families involved.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser has also been established to assist the families impacted by the fire. Kerry Shattell, who initiated the fundraiser, revealed that her son’s residence was adjacent to the property where the fire broke out.
She confirmed that his home had been obliterated and they are presently residing with his in-laws. Despite the devastation, she reassured that he, his partner and their four children are “safe”.
“His dogs were taken to the vets because they had smoke inhalation,” she disclosed. “My son and his wife were not at home at the time of the fire. Everyone is safe.”
Local residents expressed their solidarity on social media, offering lodgings, blankets and cash to those who lost their homes in the inferno.
Helen Tooley, group manager at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, informed the BBC that three of the houses were uninhabitable.
She explained: “It’s [fire] gone through the roof spaces, unfortunately. So quite significant damage to those three houses. The fourth one, next to it, there is a hole in the roof, and there was extensive smoke damage as well in that one.”
She further advised: “If you are using vapes or any electronic equipment that needs charging, please use the proper chargers. Make sure it’s in a safe place. Unplug it if you’re not in the room.”
To visit the GoFundMe page check the link here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/for-familys-of-fire-grey-street.
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