What started as a routine stop at the Gamewell Superette on U.S. 64 near Lenoir turned into a terrifying lesson in why smoking and aerosol cans do not mix.
On Thursday night, a child inside a parked Kia Soul sprayed an aerosol can at an adult who was smoking in the vehicle, according to Caldwell County responders. The can apparently ignited, triggering an explosion that heavily damaged the small car.
When fire crews arrived, they found the Kia with its roof popped out, doors buckled and every window blown out. One person was taken to the hospital with burns, and officials said there were two people in the vehicle at the time.
Caldwell Fire, EMS and Police described the incident in a June 12 Facebook post, stating that “One person hospitalized with burns” and that “the can exploded when a child sprayed it while an adult was smoking in the vehicle,” as reported by The Charlotte Observer. The post notes that two people were inside the car, including a child, and does not specify which person was hospitalized. The department also shared a photo that shows the Kia Soul mangled from the blast.
Why Aerosol Sprays Can Flash And Blow
Aerosol cans often rely on flammable hydrocarbon propellants. In a confined space like a car, those propellants can form a fine mist that becomes a ready fuel source if it finds a spark, lighter, or lit cigarette.
Federal guidance notes that how easily a spray catches fire depends on its propellant and formulation, and many products are treated as flammable aerosols in regulated safety documents. Keeping sprays away from heat, sparks, and open flames is critical, according to OSHA.
Damage And Injuries Reported
Photos shared by responders show the vehicle’s roof pushed upward, the doors warped, and all the glass blown out. Firefighters described the Kia as heavily damaged in the aftermath.
Officials confirmed that two people, including a child, were in the car at the time of the explosion. They did not say which person was taken to the hospital, according to The Charlotte Observer.
Safety Takeaways
Safety experts and regulators offer some straightforward advice that suddenly feels a lot less theoretical: never spray aerosols near someone who is smoking, keep pressurized cans out of hot cars and out of children’s reach, and follow all label warnings.
The EPA and other federal guidance note that many consumer aerosol propellants are flammable and that improper use or storage can create a significant fire and explosion risk, especially in confined spaces, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Caldwell Fire’s Facebook post remains the department’s primary public account of the blast. The Charlotte Observer published the incident details and images.
