Firefighters: Laptop battery set mattress on fire
CORVALLIS, Ore. - A laptop battery sparked an apartment fire Wednesday morning, and quick thinking by one of the residents who was home at the time helped limit the damage, firefighters said.
The Corvallis Fire Department traced the ignition point to the battery of a 2008 MacBook Pro. The battery fell out of the laptop computer and ignited bedding and clothing, firefighters said.
Some 2008 MacBook users have reported problems with the battery swelling, according to a discussion thread on Apple.com.
One of the three Oregon State University students who lived in the apartment heard a fire alarm and discovered the fire. He closed the door to the room, which contained the smoke, and evacuated the apartment.
The resident called 911. Firefighters arrived at the apartment and found a smoldering mattress in the room.
The American Red Cross responded to the scene and will be assisting the residents with short term temporary housing, the fire department said.
The fire department cautioned computer users to keep them off of and away from combustible material when not with the device. Also, have the computer inspected or serviced if it tends to run hot or if the batteries do not hold a charge.
There was a recall on that model's battery. It is a well known issue that it gets extremely hot and explodes in most cases.
Next time, make sure you have at least two working fire extinguishers in the house.
Next time, get a PC.
I love how the Red Cross gets millions in donations, but their "short term, temporary housing" is three nights in a motel, if you are lucky. For most people, hardly time to catch your breath and find someplace else to live. Better to donate to a place where most donations go to the needy, not 80% for administration.
Put your laptop on top of a fan system, sold cheap everywhere!