A switched-off air fryer exploded, leaving the owner with third-degree burns (5 photos + 1 video)

Jonty Benjamin, 52, from Blackpool, UK, cooked sausages in a Tower Housewares air fryer. The man switched off the appliance and unplugged it. He sat down to eat dinner when suddenly smoke began pouring into the living room.





The Briton rushed to save the kitchen, the appliance was on fire. Melted plastic had eaten into the man's right hand.

"A few minutes after I sat down at the table, I felt that something was wrong. When I walked into the kitchen, the grill was already on fire. It was terrifying. I put the flames out in a minute or two, but in that time I had badly burned my hand,” the victim said.



“It didn’t hurt at first because of the adrenaline. I was in such shock.”

He didn’t seek medical attention for five days after the fire on March 25. But the pain became unbearable, and Jonty went to the Royal Preston Hospital.





Doctors said he suffered third-degree burns, deep cuts and severe nerve damage to his right arm and part of his hand.

He underwent skin graft surgery last week. A flap was taken from his leg to cover deep burns on his arm.



A Briton has low hopes for compensation, but has sent his burnt-out air fryer to Tower Manufacturers.

The company launched an investigation and on April 10 announced a recall over concerns that the appliances could overheat and catch fire.

The appliance maker said the faulty appliances were manufactured between January 2022 and April 2023, but called the issue "low-risk." A Tower Manufacturers spokesman advised customers to "immediately stop using the air fryers" and unplug them.



Jonty received the appliance as a gift last year. He only used it once or twice a week. The experience has had a profound effect on him, and he is now afraid to use kitchen appliances.

"I have an oven, a microwave and a grill, but now I don't want to use them. I've been living on sandwiches and instant noodles for the last three weeks. Since this happened, I haven't been able to cook. The other day I was walking the dog when a fire alarm went off in the distance. I was scared again. I don't know when I'll get over it," Benjamin admitted.

A Tower Housewares spokesperson said: "The safety and well-being of our customers is our top priority. We thoroughly inspect and test all of our products. This is done by a dedicated quality assurance team. We want to ensure that our products are of the highest standard. The customer has contacted our team and we are working directly with them to determine the cause of this incident."