A newlywed fire fighting couple are warning of the dangers of E-cigarette chargers, after a fire nearly started at their home - just hours after they returned from honeymoon.
Dartford crew manager Greg Board and his wife Vicki, a watch manager at Thames Side fire station in Northfleet, were cooking dinner when they smelt burning plastic.
An E-cigarette was smouldering in their Tonbridge home, and its casing had began to melt.
Mrs Board said: "We smelt burning and knew it wasn’t the dinner.
“It took us a few minutes to work out where the burning plastic smell was coming from, and we quickly unplugged the charger and took it outside to cool.
"Sadly in our job we see the devastating effects of fire all too often, so we only leave items charging when we’re at home.”
Mr Board added: "We were very lucky and able to react quickly but others might not be.
"I dread to think what could have happened to our home and possessions.
"The casing around the charger had already started to melt and the device was smouldering, so it wouldn’t have been much longer before it spread to the worktops.
"Please only charge electrical devices when you’re at home and always read and retain the instructions.
“It’s also vital that you have working smoke alarms in your home, they really are life savers, as they give early warning to a fire."
Call 0800 923 7000 for advice on keeping your home safe from fire.
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