An iPod erupted on a high school science room desk in Pentucket Regional High School in, MA yesterday. Supposedly… [More]
Foxconn Workers In Mexico Revolt, Set Factory On Fire
By February 20, 2010
Gizmodo reports, based on a story in the subscription-only El Norte, that workers in a Foxconn factory in Juarez, Mexico became enraged and set the building on fire. Supervisors had misled the workers into working unpaid overtime. A delightful follow-up to the Reuters report about a Foxconn security guard threatening a foreign reporter. [Gizmodo] (Thanks, GitEmSteveDave!) [More]
Verizon Customer's DSL Upgraded, House Still Not On Fire
By January 9, 2010
Remember Michael? When he tried to upgrade his Verizon DSL, a customer service rep helpfully told him that 7 mbps was not only unavailable at his address, but it would burn his house down. After this slightly surreal exchange was featured on Consumerist, Michael reports that Verizon’s executive customer service got in touch with him and figured out the situation. Guess what? He could get the blazing fast DSL that Verizon had repeatedly refused him. [More]
Dell Mini 9 Mysteriously Ablaze! (Pics)
By December 21, 2009
There’s a big scorch mark on Hannah’s floor. It appeared last week after her Dell Mini 9 began suddenly sizzling and smoking and melting. We have pictures, and questions. [More]
Too Bad: Your Incinerated Belongings Are Not Zipcar's Problem (Updated!)
By December 18, 2009
We have an update to this story, with a happy ending for everyone except for the ill-fated Mini Cooper.
Is John asking too much from Zipcar? He writes that he and his wife rented a Mini Cooper for a weekend trip. On their way home, their car first overheated, then burst into flames just minutes after they pulled over. The couple survived uninjured, but didn’t have time to get all of their belongings out of the car. Zipcar sent roadside assistance, reimbursed John and his wife for their car ride home, and gave them a credit good for another daylong car rental. However, the company will not cover any of their personal items destroyed in the fire.
Verizon CSR: Faster DSL Will Burn Your House Down
By December 11, 2009
Update: Reader’s DSL Upgraded, House Still Not On Fire
Michael would like some faster Internet tubes to run into his house. He would be happy to give his ISP, Verizon DSL, money to provide this service, but he can’t. He writes that repeated calls to Verizon’s sales line resulted in a series of answers that disagreed with each other, culminating in a call where the rep quite sincerely informed him that Verizon cannot give him faster DSL because it will burn his house down.
DirecTV Charges Wildfire Victims For Burnt TV Receivers
By October 19, 2009
DirecTV was planning on charging several victims in the largest fire in recorded Los Angeles County history for the satellite TV receivers that burnt to cinders in their homes. “What I’d like to do is take a shovel full of ashes from my cabin and dump it on their desk. They can have their receivers back,” Ken Gray told LAT.
4.5 Million Flammable Fords Recalled
By October 14, 2009
Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have announced a recall of 4.5 million vehicles spanning back to 1992. A mixup in the manufacture resulted in the “self-immolation” button being labeled “cruise control.” In all seriousness, though, a vehicle fire could occur on these models, so be sure to check this out.
Recalls: Your Subaru Baja May Self-Immolate
By July 31, 2009
It is our solemn duty to inform you that your Subaru Baja could be trying to light itself, and by extension, you, on fire.
Citgo Employees Smoke Cigarettes At Gas Station, Are Apparently Fireproof
By July 22, 2009
Maybe these guys know something about the risks of combining fire and gasoline that we don’t, but we’re pretty sure that you’re not supposed to smoke at a gas station. Reader Chris didn’t think so either, and he sent us these pics of employees taking a smoke break at his local Citgo.
iPods Are On Fire — No, Really
By July 22, 2009
iPods aren’t only en fuego on the sales charts, but a 15 have been reported catching actual fire as customers used them.
Slim Jim Factory Explodes, Kills Three, Requires HazMat Team
By June 11, 2009
A ConAgra plant near Raleigh, N.C., that makes and packages Slim Jim beef jerky was rocked by a huge explosion on Tuesday, killing three employees and sending dozens of workers and three firefighters to hospital with severe burns or “exposure to toxic fumes.”
Man Causes Thousands In Fire Damage After Walmart Refuses Return
By June 5, 2009
After Walmart wouldn’t let him make a return, Phillip R. Wright, 41, of Monroe, Louisiana, pictured, left, looking disgruntled and pretty “arsony,” set a men’s clothing rack inside the store on fire.
Seattle TV Station Offers Delicious Accidental Chicken Barbecue Recipes
By June 4, 2009
Seattle TV station KIRO, like a lot of media organizations, has sponsored links on their front page. This is all well and good, since you have to pay for the camera(wo)men and the antennae and the pixels somehow. The problem is that sometimes sad news stories and contextual advertising lead to… hilarity.
HP Calls About Pants Burnin' Laptop
By May 21, 2009
HP called Consumerist about our inquiry about Jillian’s sparking and flaming HP dv2845se laptop adapter that she says burned a hole in her pants and caused a welt on her leg. Jillian had also alleged that HP customer service, regular and escalated, was both unresponsive and rude. HP told us….
