Car ignites after driver uses hand sanitizer, lights up cigarette

The incident happened on Thursday evening at at the Federal Plaza Shopping Center in Rockville in Maryland.

Along with photos, news helicopters captured dramatic footage of the fire.

ICYMI (~530p) vehicle fire at Federal Plaza, 12200blk Rockville Pike, near Trader Joe’s & Silver Diner, @mcfrs PE723, M723, AT723 & FM722 were on scene (news helicopter video) pic.twitter.com/TeAynaGsgp

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) May 13, 2021

The hand sanitiser is believed to have ignited on contact with the lit cigarette and set the car on fire.

"Using hand sanitiser and smoking a cigarette is a bad combo in unventilated areas like a car," said officials from the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.

According to firefighters, the driver was taken to the hospital with minor burns and his injuries are non-life threatening.

The vehicle was a total loss as it reduced to steel.

Photos of the aftermath show a scorched car with the windows burned out and front seats reduced to metal.

(5/13 ~530p) Rockville Pike, Federal Plaza shopping Center, vehicle fire; Cause, Driver using hand sanitizer & smoking a cigarette, which is a bad combo in unventilated area like a car; total loss; @MCFRS_EMIHS treated & transported 1 adult w/ minor burns, NLT https://t.co/eJEMD9ODwR pic.twitter.com/nD7i7pQ5Mc

— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) May 13, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges people to be cautious around alcohol-based sanitizers.

According to health officials, sanitizer contains ethyl alcohol, which readily evaporates at room temperature into an ignitable vapor, and is considered a flammable liquid.