Kent Man’s E-Scooter Explosion Nearly Costs Him His Life
A Kent man is sounding the alarm after a terrifying fire sparked by his e-scooter erupted in his flat — leaving him with life-changing burns and killing his beloved dog, Shogun.
Hero Dog Saves Owner From Fiery Death
Kevin Record, 43, was fast asleep on Sheerness High Street on April 17 when his dog jumped on the bed to wake him. He awoke to sparks flying from his e-scooter before it exploded in a fireball.
“I can’t explain the speed of the fire. Within seconds, it spread like a grenade going off,” Kevin said from his hospital bed. “Shogun was everything to me. He saved my life but sadly didn’t make it himself.”
Kent Firefighters Warn: Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Deadly
Kent Fire and Rescue Service rushed to the scene just after 1:30am with four fire engines. Despite their efforts, the fire destroyed Kevin’s home and belongings.
Investigators blame an overheating battery while the e-scooter was charging.
KFRS Crew Manager Steve Smart said, “Kevin had a lucky escape. If Shogun hadn’t woken him, it could have been fatal. We urge everyone to be super cautious with lithium-ion powered devices.”
How To Stay Safe With E-Scooters And Other Devices
- Buy devices and parts only from trusted suppliers
- Charge and store batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Only charge devices when you’re awake at home
- Always unplug after use
- Keep devices away from escape routes and bedrooms
- Install smoke alarms on every floor and test them weekly
Kevin, once a tech fan, now warns: “I wouldn’t buy anything like an e-scooter or e-cigarette again after this nightmare.”
He hopes sharing his story will stop others from living through the horror he faced.
