Veteran BBC Wales Today presenter Nick Palit and his wife, Angela, are recovering from a harrowing ordeal after a bioethanol heater explosion nearly claimed their lives and destroyed their home near Cardiff earlier this month. The couple, who had lived in the three-storey house for six years, recounted the terrifying sequence of events that left them with serious burn injuries and forced them from their home, only to face further hardship when thieves targeted their property in the aftermath.
According to BBC, the incident began on a chilly early autumn evening when Angela, 59, returned from work. Seeking warmth, she turned on the environmentally friendly bioethanol heater they had owned for five years without previous trouble. But this time, things went awry. The heater began to emit smoke—a first in their experience. Nick, 60, acted quickly, attempting to shut it down and opening a window to disperse the smoke. Meanwhile, Angela fetched a damp cloth, hoping to contain any flames. In a split second, the heater exploded with such force that Angela was thrown across the room and her hair caught fire.
"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," Angela told MailOnline. Nick, recalling the chaos, added, "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." He continued, "I've covered fires and explosions during my career but to be caught up in something like that was dreadful."
Both sustained serious injuries: Angela suffered burns to her face and the back of her hands, while Nick endured a severe burn on his left elbow. Despite the shock and pain, the couple managed to escape their burning home. From the safety of their garden, they watched helplessly as flames consumed the house they had lovingly maintained for six years. According to Entertainment Daily, Nick described the experience as, "terrifying" and said the gravity of the situation only hit him once they were outside. "It could have been much worse but we are both traumatised and we've lost everything," he said.
The couple, who have five children between them, were rushed to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. Due to the severity of their burns, they were transferred to the specialist burns unit at Morriston Hospital in Swansea. Angela continues to recover from her facial burns and hand injuries, while Nick is dealing with the aftermath of his arm and elbow burns. "It's like living in a nightmare," Angela admitted to Entertainment Daily, sharing that she often wakes up in pain and still struggles to get comfortable.
But the Palits' troubles did not end with the fire. As reported by Express, while they were in hospital and their home stood empty, thieves broke into their garden shed and stole four e-bikes. Nick turned to social media to share photos of the stolen bikes and ask the community for help in recovering them. The double blow of losing both their home and valuable possessions has added to the couple's distress. Insurance assessors are currently evaluating the damage, with initial estimates suggesting it could take up to six months to rebuild their gutted property. In the meantime, the Palits are renting a nearby property as they try to piece their lives back together.
Throughout the ordeal, the outpouring of support from friends, family, and the wider community has been a lifeline. Nick expressed his gratitude on social media, posting, "We've been overwhelmed and humbled by the kindness, care and love of family, friends and neighbours - thanks to all of you we will get through this." He also provided updates on Angela's recovery, noting that her burns had calmed down and she was healing, though still left with bruising and redness.
The couple's story has resonated widely, not just because of Nick's public profile as a former presenter on BBC Wales Today and Crimewatch, but because of the shocking nature of the incident. Nick, who retired from the newsroom four years ago, has since worked as an extra on the BBC's long-running medical drama Casualty. Ironically, after years of reporting on emergencies and disasters, he found himself the subject of such a tragedy. As he told the Daily Mail, "I've covered fires and explosions during my career but to be caught up in something like that was dreadful."
The explosion has also raised questions about the safety of bioethanol heaters, which are often marketed as smokeless and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional heating. The Palits had used their heater for five years without incident, making the sudden malfunction all the more shocking. While there is no indication from authorities that the heater was faulty or misused, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with alternative heating sources, especially as more households seek greener options.
The fire and its aftermath have left the Palits with a profound sense of loss. "It could have been much worse but we are both traumatised and we've lost everything," Nick told Express. The couple not only lost their home and possessions, but also a sense of security. Yet, their resilience shines through. Despite the trauma, Nick and Angela are determined to rebuild. Their gratitude toward those who have supported them is palpable, and their openness about their experience has prompted an outpouring of goodwill from the public.
As they await the insurance outcome and begin the long process of recovery, the Palits are focusing on healing and supporting each other. Nick's heartfelt social media messages have kept friends and followers updated, and Angela's visible progress has offered hope amid adversity. Their story is one of survival, community, and the unpredictable twists of fate that can change lives in an instant.
For now, the Palits are taking each day as it comes, buoyed by the kindness of those around them and the knowledge that, despite everything, they made it out alive. Their experience is a sobering reminder of how quickly life can turn upside down—and how, even in the darkest moments, support and resilience can light the way forward.
