THIS is the moment an e-cigarette exploded, engulfing a teenage barmaid in a ball of flame.

Laura Baty, 18, was serving a customer when she heard a massive bang.

“I was about to give somebody their change,” she said. “I could see the fire coming at me and I felt the heat as I ran away. My arm was all black and my dress caught fire as I ran away. I just didn’t know what was happening.”

News_Rich_Media: E-cigarette explodes

Laura Baty narrowly missed being engulfed in flames.

Customers watched on in shock.

The e-cigarette, which burnt itself out on the floor, was being charged by another member of staff using an iPad charger.

Following a number of similar incidents, fire safety officers have warned that great care should be taken to charge e-cigarettes correctly.

The burned dress Laura was wearing at the time.

Stewart Paterson must have felt terrible after his e-cigarette almost wiped out his colleague.