Lake Worth, FL - A Palm Beach County family narrowly escaped tragedy when a fire, allegedly sparked by the lithium-ion batteries of a vape pen and engulfed their rented home.
Around noon on Monday, Marc Theaman, a resident of the home, heard a loud noise coming from the backyard, followed by the smell of smoke.
Moments later, flames began spreading into the dining room.
"I keep reliving it. It’s only been a few hours, but I can’t get it out of my mind," Theaman told 7 News WSVN.
The homeowner, Kayla Ogilbee, later learned from fire officials that the blaze originated from the batteries of a vape pen, a small but dangerous device that caused extensive damage.
Theaman and his family faced a harrowing moment when they realized their dog, Borris, was still inside the burning home.
Firefighters acted quickly, rescuing the dog and delivering him back to the family covered in soot.
Theaman explained that the vape pen had been prescribed to his wife, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Following the devastating fire, the family vowed never to use the device again.
While the Theamans focus on recovering from their losses, Ogilbee faces an uphill battle as the homeowner.
Without homeowner’s insurance, she is left to cover the repair costs out of pocket.
Despite the destruction, both the Theamans and Ogilbee expressed relief that no one was injured and are determined to move forward after Monday's incident.