Vape pen explosion kills Florida man

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Autopsy finds Tallmadge D’Elia died from projectile wound to head, in first such case in US

Associated Press in St Petersburg
Thu 17 May 2018 04.51 EDT

A Florida man died when a vape pen exploded, sending fragments into his head and starting a fire that burned most of his body, an autopsy report has said.

The case is the first in the US where a vape pen has been held responsible. The report said Tallmadge D’Elia, 38, of St Petersburg, was killed on 5 May by a “projectile wound of the head” after the explosion sent two pieces of the vape pen into his cranium.

He also suffered burns on about 80% of his body. Firefighters found extensive fire damage in D’Elia’s bedroom, where his body was discovered, but minimal smoke, the report said.

Such accidents are not unheard of: according to a US fire administration report, at least 195 electronic cigarettes exploded or caught fire from 2009 to 2016, causing 133 injuries, 38 of them severe.


Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/may/17/vape-pen-explosion-kills-florida-man

[dalton99a]

2. Look Ma, no smoke

He also suffered burns on about 80% of his body. Firefighters found extensive fire damage in D’Elia’s bedroom, where his body was discovered, but minimal smoke, the report said.

[C Moon]

3. He was a former TV producer. Damn. Only 38.

https://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2018/05/tv-producer-dies-after-e-cigarette-explodes-penetrates-skull/

[hlthe2b]

4. Lots of teens using these too...

[Snackshack]

5. Sad to read.

Only 38 damn.

R.I.P.

[Devil Child]

6. Probably fault of a defective or counterfeit battery

What a bizarre way to go. The Grim Reaper gets creative from time to time, here one minute gone the next.

[CTyankee]

15. I had an unattached Garmin blow up in the back seat of my car due to its defective battery.

Thank god no one was in the car. The car was totaled. The insurance company rep said it was a battery. I did some research online and found that there were many such incidents due to that battery.

[lkinwi]

7. Schools are struggling also.

A family member told me that kids will vape in class and blow the “smoke” into their shirts.

[Mosby]

18. there is a new brand that is taking a huge share of the market

It's called juul and they look like flash drives and can be charged via USB.

They are almost 50% of the market, and have been out for just a few years.

https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2018/5/1/17286638/juul-vaping-e-cigarette

[PennyK]

8. Really horrible

I've been using an e-cigarette for over four years...I would never have been able to quit otherwise. These reports never tell exactly what make or model the victim was using, and that would really be helpful.

[Leith]

9. Same Here

The article says that it is Smok-E Mountain brand. That isn't one I've ever heard of.

[Trenzalore]

10. Business Insider

Business insider had an article with the model. I would link but I am on my phone and can’t find it. From what I understand it was a high end customizable where the user has a lot of say on the settings.

[forgotmylogin]

11. I suppose this is similar to defective cell phone batteries exploding due to heat. (n/t)

[flotsam]

12. From the website:

Introducing our selection of mechanical mods and RDAs/RBAs by SMOK-E MOUNTAIN. Mechanical mods are unregulated, meaning: no safety features and no regulations. Mechanical mods are specifically made for users who desire that massive vapor cloud. Smok-E Mountain presents to you sharp, durable, and enigmatic products that blur the line between electronic cigarette and art. In result the user is provided with an excessive, smooth, and raw vape. Lose yourself in the billowing, sweet mist that is Smok-E Mountain.
Though you can use a mechanical mod with a standard tank (one that doesn't need to be rebuilt), users typically get this type of unit for a rebuildable atomizer or tank (a unit that you build yourself to have as low of a resistance as you prefer).

**NOT RECOMMENDED FOR BEGINNERS**

https://shop.vaporsource.com/vape-mods-high-end-authentic-clone-mechanical-mods-and-rdas-rbas-box-mods/authentic/smok-e-mountain

[PennyK]

17. Wow, it was an unregulated device

I'm glad, at least, that we were able to find out what he was using. I use a much simpler, but regulated, device.

[FrodosNewPet]

14. I think Florida Man is from Gallifrey

Much like The Doctor, he just keeps regenerating.

[llmart]

16. LOL