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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Hoverboard 'explodes into flames' | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A British vlogger has shown just how dangerous hoverboards can be, capturing on video a device exploding in flames. | A British vlogger has shown just how dangerous hoverboards can be, capturing on video a device exploding in flames. |
| YouTuber Stephen Leenott, who goes by the name of BuleBritish, said he charged the hoverboard, which he said he had bought new from eBay, overnight before attempting a maiden run the next morning. When he stepped on to the board and attempted to start it, it did nothing, appearing dead. | YouTuber Stephen Leenott, who goes by the name of BuleBritish, said he charged the hoverboard, which he said he had bought new from eBay, overnight before attempting a maiden run the next morning. When he stepped on to the board and attempted to start it, it did nothing, appearing dead. |
| Subsequent tilting to attempt to start it caused it to emit a hissing sound shortly followed by smoke, then a burst of flames. | Subsequent tilting to attempt to start it caused it to emit a hissing sound shortly followed by smoke, then a burst of flames. |
| The test run was done outside, otherwise the fire could have had serious consequences as seen in several other house-fires caused by hoverboards. The vlogger is seen trying to pour water on to the board to put out the flames. | The test run was done outside, otherwise the fire could have had serious consequences as seen in several other house-fires caused by hoverboards. The vlogger is seen trying to pour water on to the board to put out the flames. |
| Leenott said: “Don’t use water on electrical fires. This was not planned. My first thought was to run and fill the kettle to pour cold water on it. Why? I don’t know, it’s a fire. Put water on it was my first reaction.” | Leenott said: “Don’t use water on electrical fires. This was not planned. My first thought was to run and fill the kettle to pour cold water on it. Why? I don’t know, it’s a fire. Put water on it was my first reaction.” |
| The cause of the fire isn’t known, but the boards contain lithium batteries, which can explode if not safely configured, while poorly constructed motors and wiring are likely to have contributed to this fire, as well as many others. | The cause of the fire isn’t known, but the boards contain lithium batteries, which can explode if not safely configured, while poorly constructed motors and wiring are likely to have contributed to this fire, as well as many others. |
| Hoverboards do not have to be a fire risk but poorly made clones are being pumped out of Chinese factories and flooding the market. Safety fears have caused hoverboard stock to be impounded at UK ports, and warnings from trading standards, consumer groups and the Australian federal government. | Hoverboards do not have to be a fire risk but poorly made clones are being pumped out of Chinese factories and flooding the market. Safety fears have caused hoverboard stock to be impounded at UK ports, and warnings from trading standards, consumer groups and the Australian federal government. |
| They are also illegal to ride on public pavement or roads within the UK, and parts of the US, including New York. | They are also illegal to ride on public pavement or roads within the UK, and parts of the US, including New York. |