You really ought to read the rest of that story, from different sources. It should come under the heading "self-inflicted injury".
The 'victim' had modified the device, including modifying the heating coil to reduce the coil's resistance to almost a short circuit. He had even sanded away insulation in order to make a better connection for his modified heating coil.
Oh, and he had been warned about doing something similar on at least 2 earlier occasions.
Now to go and have a word with my lad who may be using one of these 'low ohm' coil devices.