WOODHAVEN, Mich. – A woman from Columbus, Ohio, said her vape pen caused a fire that destroyed her SUV in the parking lot of a Woodhaven IHOP restaurant.
On Thursday morning, Crystal Mounts was traveling to Metro Detroit to visit family and pulled off for breakfast. When she took the batteries out of her vape pen charger, sparks flew and started a fire in her SUV.
"It just started slow and went quick," Mounts said. "When I went to take it off, it shot sparks. There was a bag nearby where it was charging. I realized there was still too much smoke, realized the fire was under the pedal."
Her 5-year-old son was in the back seat, but fortunately, he knew to jump out of the SUV. They both ran away from the car.
Mounts said she could only watch and call for help.
"I would say within 45 seconds a little fire turned into a bigger fire," Mounts said.
Fires tied to vape pens have made headlines nationwide. The fires have been linked to the lithium batteries used in the pens.
The U.S. Fire Administration is tracking the fires. From 2009 to 2016, there were 195 incidents.
The agency hasn't issued regulations, but there are guidelines recommending manufacturers address battery safety issues.
"Definitely be careful with vape batteries," Mounts said.
Mounts has contacted the vape pen manufacturer concerning the incident.
A relative picked her up from the parking lot about an hour after the fire, she said.