Cigarettes damage health in many ways, yet sparking one rarely destroys a vehicle. A chain of mishaps produced exactly that outcome in Gamewell, North Carolina. The two people inside, one a child, lived through the event, although one required hospital treatment for burns, according to the Charlotte Observer. Authorities withheld names and did not specify who needed care.

During the evening of June 12 a red Kia Soul drove by the Gamewell Superette gas station and store. Neighbors and shopkeepers heard a strong blast. Security footage shared by WSOC shows the heavily damaged Kia arriving at the lot. A man exits through the front passenger window in dramatic fashion, likely because the door would not open.

The Gamewell Fire Department sits beside the Superette and arrived at once, aided by crews from nearby Lenoir. No flames broke out even though the cabin had exploded. Medical teams handled the wounds while firefighters examined what caused the blast.

Explosive Mixture

Investigators learned the child in the rear seat had used a can of compressed air meant for cleaning keyboards to dust the car interior. Normal air does not burn, yet this product held propane, isobutane, n-butane and other hydrocarbon propellants. With the windows shut the gases built up inside the cabin. The driver then lit a cigarette and the spark set off the mixture.

Most household dusters rely on HFC-152a, a substance that catches fire readily and can send flames back to the container. Contact with skin may cause frostbite and breathing it can lead to suffocation. The product looks safe but clearly poses risks when used by children in a closed car.

Commercial versions often contain HFC-134a instead. That gas does not burn, allowing safe use around live circuits. The same compound appears in car air conditioners. Consumer cans favor the cheaper HFC-152a despite its flammability.