Liam Moriarty, 33, a lorry driver, was waiting for a collection in Dartford, Kent, when a spare battery exploded after falling from his pocket.
Liam had reclined his seat when the battery fell into his chair’s mechanism.
The chair’s mechanism pinched the battery causing it to explode – sending flames shooting up towards Liam.
Liam, who is from south east London, said: “The tilt mechanism for the chair pinched the battery, just my luck.
“There was a loud hissing sound and by the time I looked up the flame came up and burnt my elbow.”
Liam’s truck is ADR equipped, which means it is able to carry dangerous goods and had a fire extinguisher ready.
Lima used the extinguisher to put out the flames and was able to save himself and the truck.
Liam said there was a bed and other flammable items nearby which means the cab could have ignited and destroy the £130,000 lorry.
Liam said: “It’s just the fact that it’s an ADR-equipped truck that the fire extinguisher was there.
“On the side with the cog mechanism, there’s a bed, a seat, all things that can burn, it might have gone up in flames.”
Luckily his injuries were not severe and the flames did little more than singe his skin a little.
Liam said: “I was more worried about the lorry which was was a three-month-old vehicle.
“i wouldn’t have a job and there would be a massive insurance claim. Each one of those lorries costs £130,000.
“It would have been massive.”
