Woman’s Raz E-Cigarette Charging in Car Sparks Fire, Burning Ford Explorer to a Shell

A woman’s Ford Explorer was severely burned after a fire broke out while she was charging her Raz disposable e-cigarette inside the vehicle. The incident was captured by Sara, the driver, and shared on TikTok, where the video has garnered over 17 million views. Standing helplessly beside Interstate 75, she remarked, “I’m not going to work today.” Although no official investigation has confirmed the cause of the fire, Sara attributes it to a malfunction during the e-cigarette charging process. Safety experts note that disposable e-cigarettes typically use small lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat and ignite if overcharged, paired with low-quality cables, or exposed to high temperatures. Notably, Ford has issued multiple recalls for Explorer models—including the 2021 and 2020 versions—due to electrical hazards linked to battery junction boxes and engine compartment fire risks. Experts advise exercising caution when charging small electronic devices in vehicles, avoiding unattended charging for extended periods, and always using original manufacturer charging cables.