My handbag burst into flames – and I found a surprising bright side
A vape battery sparked a handbag fire, melting keys and a niece's photo, but the owner sees a STEM silver lining.Summary
The narrator was sitting outside a bar when they noticed flames coming from their handbag. Initially thinking it was their vape, they realized the vape was in their mouth. A friend who is a chemistry teacher explained that a spare lithium vape battery had contacted the metal keys in the bag, creating a short circuit that ignited the bag and melted the keyring, which held a plastic portrait of the narrator's nieces from 2017. The narrator's sister was present and reacted calmly to the sight of the melted portrait. There was debate over whether to extinguish the battery with water, but the chemistry teacher clarified the correct approach. The narrator's niece, an engineering student, pointed out that in a survival situation, having a powerful battery and keys could be advantageous, highlighting a positive side to the incident. The narrator concludes that the episode underscores the value of STEM knowledge and even finds a silver lining in their vaping habit.
(Source：The Guardian)
