Electronic cigarettes have become a popular alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes, and although many people probably keep them in their pockets, they may rethink doing so after seeing what happened to a man in New York.
According to the New York Daily News, Otis Gooding, 31, was working as usual behind the counter at a wine store in New York City when all of a sudden his e-cigarette exploded in his pocket, according to his attorney Sanford Rubenstein.
The man reportedly suffered third-degree burns to his leg and hand, and will likely require surgery at the Weill Cornell Medical Center burn unit, according to CNN.
You can watch the security camera footage of the incident below:
No one else was injured as the sparks flew in the store from Gooding’s pocket, but witnesses in the store said they were “shaken up” by the horrifying scene.
John Lee, an employee of Central Cellars Wine and Spirits in Grand Central Terminal told CNN, “Unfortunately, there was nothing we could do but call the police.”
Lee added, “Otis ran water on himself till the paramedics came. I was traumatized to see someone hurt that way.”
The device used by Gooding was modified, according to Lee, who used to smoke e-cigarettes himself. “I’ve never seen one that has so much power,” he said. “It’s aftermarket customized, so you can change the voltage for high performances.”
Gooding’s attorney said his client was in a lot of pain and also disappointed that he couldn’t spend Thanksgiving with his family.
According to Rubenstein, Gooding’s next step will be to take legal action against the manufacturer of the device once the manufacturer is identified.
E-cigarettes have become popular, but as we have reported here at Conservative Tribune, they can be quite dangerous. If you use e-cigarettes, be aware of the potential dangers and stay safe.
H/T Fox News