E-cigarette lodges into ceiling after exploding in Calif. man's hands

SANTA ANA, Calif. (WPVI) -- A Santa Ana man was smoking an e-cigarette in his bedroom, when the device exploded in his hands and lodged in the ceiling.

The man, who is in his 20s, said he was sitting on his bed and smoking Monday morning when his e-cigarette began to hum.

He pulled the device away from his mouth, and it exploded. The blast was so severe, half of the e-cigarette lodged in the ceiling.

Sheets and clothing on his bed caught fire, but the man doused it with water and called 911.

Caller: I'm freaking out, I just had an electronic cigarette blow up in my hand.

Operator: Are you burned or what happened?

Caller: I'm burned pretty bad, I'm freaking out.

Operator: Are you having any trouble with your breathing?

Caller: I think I'm having a little bit of anxiety. This thing like blew up in my face and it shot and stuck in my ceiling.

The man was taken to an area hospital with minor burns to his face and hands and a cut to his hand.

There was no word on what caused the e-cigarette to blow up.