Small Fire Erupts In Wisconsin Middle School Classroom After Vape Pen Ignites In Student's Pocket

An incident with a vape pen has resulted in a small fire erupting in a middle school classroom in Wisconsin.

In a letter e-mailed to parents of students at Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School, the school’s administration described an incident in which a vape pen in the pocket of a student ignited, sparking a small fire in the classroom, the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune reported.

Contrary to the report’s claim that vape pens are electronic cigarettes, only some vape pens are designed for use with liquid blends, such as the liquid nicotine (e-liquid) used in e-cigarettes. Notably, some vape pens are designed for use with loose leaf blends, such as dry tobacco, and others are designed for use with concentrates, which may or may not include e-liquids.

The incident reportedly took place in March of 2018.

As for injuries, the only reported injury was sustained by the student carrying the vape pen. The extent of his injuries were unclear at the time of reporting.

The pant leg of the student who was carrying the vape reportedly caught on fire. He was subsequently treated for his injuries while the rest of the students were evacuated as a result of the fire.

The Wisconsin Rapids Tribune reported that the local fire department in Wisconsin Rapids indicated that they had not responded to any calls from the school on the day of the incident.

The current School Board Policies in the school district in which the incident took place prohibit the use and possession of nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes, on property owned by the school district.

This is by no means the first time a portable vaporizer has been linked to an apparent fire. In fact, official data from numerous U.S. government agencies shows that such incidences are currently on the rise in the United States. The FDA has subsequently released suggestions on how to help avoid vape battery explosions, which can be seen here.