A quiet evening at home near Cardiff turned into a nightmare for veteran BBC journalist Nick Palit and his wife Angela when a trendy bio ethanol heater exploded, engulfing their three-storey house in flames.
The couple, both in their late 50s and early 60s, were left with serious burns and watched in horror as their home, which they had cherished for six years, was destroyed.
The Moment the Blast Hit
Angela, 59, had just returned from work feeling the early autumn chill when Nick, 60, decided to light their smokeless, environmentally friendly bio ethanol heater.
The heater had been in their home for five years and never caused problems.
But this time, it began smoking, prompting Nick to try to shut it down.
“There were still flames coming through, so Angela went to get a damp cloth while I opened the window,” Nick recalled.
“Suddenly it just exploded. It blew Ange off her feet. I ran to her just thinking: ‘We’ve got to get out of here.’”
Angela described the moment in terrifying detail: “I thought I was dead when I was thrown across the room.
My hair was on fire, my face was boiling hot, it was just awful.”
Escaping the Fireball
The couple dialed 999 from outside as their home erupted in a massive orange fireball.
Despite the trauma, Nick reflected on their luck: “We were really lucky to both get out alive. Another 30 seconds and we’d have been hit by the fireball. It was really scary.
I’ve covered fires and explosions during my career, but to be caught up in something like that was dreadful.”
Nick suffered burns on his left arm and elbow, while Angela has injuries on her face and the back of her hand.
“It’s like living in a nightmare,” she said. “I wake up in pain and I can’t get comfortable.”
Life After the Explosion
The couple, who have five children between them, were first treated at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff before being transferred to a specialist burns unit at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.
They have temporarily moved into a nearby rental property while their insurance company assesses the damage.
Unfortunately, their misfortune didn’t end there. Thieves reportedly stole four e-bikes from a garden shed at their gutted home, taking advantage of the vacant property.
Support from Family, Friends, and Community
Nick, who spent 33 years at the BBC, praised the support they have received.
Known for his work on BBC Wales Today and Crimewatch, and even mentoring comedian Rhod Gilbert on journalism, Nick took to social media to thank everyone who has rallied around them.
“We’ve been overwhelmed and humbled by the kindness, care, and love of family, friends, and neighbours,” he said.
“Thanks to all of you, we will get through this.”
The Dangers of Bio Ethanol Heaters
Bio ethanol heaters are marketed as a clean, renewable source of energy that produces a cosy flame.
However, incidents like this one highlight the risks involved with using these devices, even for those who have safely used them for years.
The Palits’ story is a chilling reminder of how quickly household appliances can turn dangerous, and how luck and quick thinking can make all the difference in surviving a life-threatening accident.