Vape Pen Sparks Fire, Displaces Family in Lake Worth, Florida
LAKE WORTH, Fla. – A Palm Beach County family is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating house fire, reportedly caused by a vape pen’s lithium-ion batteries. The incident occurred on Monday at a rented home in Lake Worth.
Marc Theaman, who rented the home with his family, described the shocking moment the fire began. “I keep reliving it. It’s only been a couple of hours, but I can’t get it out of my mind,” he said. Around noon, Theaman heard a loud noise from the backyard, followed by the smell of smoke and flames spreading into the dining room.
Kayla Ogilbee, the homeowner, said officials informed her that the fire originated from the vape pen’s batteries. “Just, like, such a small device could cause this type of damage is unbelievable and scary,” she said.
The family’s dog, Borris, narrowly escaped the blaze thanks to firefighters. “When the firemen came, I kept saying, ‘My dog, my dog, my dog,’ and thank God, they got the dog,” said Theaman. Though rescued, Borris was left covered in soot from the fire.
The Theamans revealed they were using the vape pen as prescribed by a doctor, as Marc’s wife is undergoing breast cancer treatment. Following the incident, the family has decided to stop using the device, citing the unexpected danger it posed.
Both the Theamans and Ogilbee now face significant financial burdens. Ogilbee, who does not have homeowner’s insurance, expressed relief that the situation wasn’t worse despite the damages. “I’m just grateful that everyone made it out OK,” she said.
The fire has highlighted the potential risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in small devices. As the families work to recover, this incident serves as a cautionary tale about fire safety and the importance of checking for potential hazards in everyday items.
