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E-cigarette explodes inside Rochester apartment

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Remains of the e-cigarette that exploded early Friday. (Rochester Fire Department photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Firefighters are warning the public today to make sure they operate their e-cigarettes properly after a Rochester man awoke early Friday morning to find his e-cigarette he'd left charging overnight had exploded next to his bed.

The fire caused little damage and no one was injured in the explosion inside the man's apartment at 6 Wellsweep Acres off Portland Street.

The lone occupant of the apartment awoke to the sound of a small explosion around 4 a.m., Rochester Deputy Fire Chief Tim Wilder said today.

"He heard a loud bang, looked around and found it on the floor next to his bed where it had fallen off the nightstand when it exploded and caught fire," Wilder said. "The guy was OK and there was minimal damage."

The middle-aged man had used the wrong charger, which caused the explosion, said Wilder, who cautioned residents that just because the USB attachment may fit a device doesn't mean it's safe.

He warned e-cigarette users and users of other electronic devices as well to always use the proper charger and operate devices within manufacturers' guidelines.

Earlier this week a Kentucky man had his e-cigarette explode in his pocket, causing second-degree burns.

Wilder said that can happen if a user doesn't enable a lock device to prevent the e-cigarette from operating when it's not in use.

E-cigarettes like cellphones and hoverboards use lithium batteries, which have come under scrutiny recently for their propensity to catch fire.

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