Video Shows E-Cigarette Exploding In N.J. Woman's Purse At Mall

A woman was shopping in a New Jersey mall this week when her purse exploded, according to reports, and she had no idea why.

Mara McInerney even reportedly wondered if it was a terrorist attack.

Turned out, according to PIX11, that it was her e-cigarette device blowing up at the Freehold Raceway Mall in Monmouth County [see video below].

"I had the battery in this pocket by itself, it exploded through the pocket, charred and melted everything in the bag," the Old Bridge woman told CNN and other news outlets.

"What I heard first was the bang, and it being 9/11, it kind of sounded like a gunshot," McInerney was quoted as saying on WTOC.com. “The whole bag was engulfed in flames."

McInerney was checking out of a sunglasses store at the mall when a huge cloud of smoke erupted from her bag. She escaped injury, according to PIX11.

She told PIX 11 it could have been worse: She typically keeps her bag on the backseat next to her daughter.

She hopes that her story provides caution to those who vape, reports say. "Just knowing I have my bag in the backseat, daughter in the car seat next to it, it's scary and it could happen to everyone," McInerney said.

Here is the video:

Photo courtesy of PIX11