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iPod Nano Catches Man's Pants on Fire

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

October 5, 2007, 5:39 PM

A Georgia man has escaped injury after the iPod nano he owned caught fire inside of his pocket, the exact cause of which is not yet known. Danny Williams of Douglassville, Georgia said all that protected him from burns was a piece of glossy paper that he had in his pocket along with the device. The burning nano did, however, burn a hole in the man's pants.

Williams works at a kiosk Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He said the incident could have posed a big problem: "If TSA had come by and seen me smoking, they could have honestly thought I was a terrorist," he told WSB-TV. According to Willams' parents, Apple has said it would replace the unit. Apple has so far refused to comment on the incident.

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By ZenWarrior

posted Oct 9, 2007 - 8:20 AM

The following iPod playlist is now banned in all U.S. airports:

"Jumpin' Jack Flash" -- The Rolling Stones
"I'm On Fire" -- Bruce Springsteen
"Open Fire" -- 2Pac
"Walk Through Fire" -- Olivia Newton
"Set It On Fire" -- Tony Touch
"Light My Fire" -- The Doors
"Full of Fire" -- Al Green
"Great Balls of Fire" -- Jerry Lee Lewis
"Catch a Fire" -- Bob Marley
"On Fire" -- Van Halen
"Fire Down Below" -- Bob Seger

Score: 0

By lonechicken

posted Oct 9, 2007 - 10:15 AM

"Jump in the Fire" -- Metallica
"Fire and Ice" -- Pat Benetar

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Oct 9, 2007 - 10:54 AM

Anything by Firehouse....

//is this getting old yet?

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Oct 9, 2007 - 9:28 AM

My pants...my pants...my pants are on fire...

But we don't need no water let the m*f*er burn.

Burn m*f*er, burn.

/couldn't resist

Score: 0

By PostDeals

edited Oct 8, 2007 - 9:10 PM

Did SONY build the ipod battery?

Score: 0

By Frostek

posted Oct 8, 2007 - 2:37 PM

What no one has thought of is that in fact his pants caught fire, badly damaging his ipod! ;-)

Score: 0

By rsx508

posted Oct 8, 2007 - 2:35 PM

After the recent multi-million $ lawsuit over the judge's pants at the dry cleaners, I can't imagine how much this one might fetch in court.

Score: 0

By WeezulDK

posted Oct 8, 2007 - 12:01 PM

Goodness Gracious! Great balls of fire!

Score: 0

By dracodos

edited Oct 8, 2007 - 11:25 AM

Why Sue Apple? They didn't make the batteries (though they did choose to use them) If anyone should be sued it should be the battery makers, who should also replace the poor man's pants!

Plus also let's not jump, don't forget many users like to mod their iPods, not to mention replace drives andv batteries. I say get all the facts before we jump on the lawsuit bandwagon

Honestly i'm surprised companies still use Li-Ion batteries. we've already seen they are not efficient, as far as life expectancy and safety.

Score: 0

By wat0114

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 10:45 PM

I'll bet he was playing pocket pinball and the "glossy paper" was actually a matchbook that he inadvertently ignited with the thrashing of his fingers, then conjured up the idea to blame the iPod in hopes of suing Apple ;)

Score: 0

By ladylust

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 8:20 PM

Must been a hot song... lol i crap myself up

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 9:48 PM

lol i crap myself up

TMI, girl, TMI...

Score: 0

By g8tor

edited Oct 7, 2007 - 1:36 PM

This is entirely plausible and one of the problems with Li ion batteries. They are extremely sensitive to contamination (inside the battery itself). If quality isn't controlled, and contamination is introduced into the battery during manufacture, they can overheat and catch fire. This is the same issue that happened with the Sony/Dell batteries and the huge recall last year that everybody has already forgotten about.

Score: 0

By Diam0nd

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 4:53 AM

Somebody PLEASE sue apple.

Score: 0

By shicaca

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 8:37 PM

Exactly. If they find it was their fault, he should sue them.

About time someone grows balls and sues someone other than MS.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Oct 8, 2007 - 11:14 AM

Why does it take balls to sue someone?

Seems like second nature to most folks nowadays.

Score: 0

By PostDeals

posted Oct 8, 2007 - 9:09 PM

I don't like your response I am suing you :).

Man LAWYERS are running the country these days and sleezy politicans that get away with it thanks to the liers.

Score: 0

By Tappa

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 1:29 PM

Here we have another educated and brilliant post with well documented facts and a solid argument.

Can you sense the sarcasm?

Score: 0

By shicaca

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 8:38 PM

Oh just because someone says, "Sue Mac!" you get all huffy? If he had nothing else in his pockets other than a glossy piece of paper and the Nano, it's pretty much a smoking gun (or in this case a pair of smoking pants).

I kind of hope they do find Mac product responsible. It'd serve them right.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Oct 8, 2007 - 10:26 AM

So if a company with millions of a product out there has *one* that catches fire, we should sue them?

You must be a liberal. We don't even know *half* of the details surrounding this case, and yer calling for a lawsuit. It's like that idiot congressman James Oberstar in MN standing at the site of the bridge collapse the *day* it happened calling for new taxes because "obviously" more pork for Duluth would have solved the problem. Or the newspapers in the area the *DAY AFTER* with the headline, "Who do we Sue??"

s*** happens, people. Get over it.

Score: 0

By dhjdhj

posted Oct 8, 2007 - 10:32 AM

I'm a liberal too, but I'm not suggesting a lawsuit. Stop presuming people's political affiliation based on insufficient evidence!

--->You must be a liberal.

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Oct 8, 2007 - 11:13 AM

Doesn't work that way. I never said *every* liberal would sue. :)

If he wants to tell me he's not Liberal, fine. I won't actually believe it, but he can say it.

Don't like it? Sue me. ;)

Score: 0

By godofthunder

edited Oct 7, 2007 - 4:10 AM

Williams should go to the doc about his bladder problem before he shorts out another nano.

Score: 0

By leojei

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 12:39 AM

He prolly was listening to his mission (from misson impossible) where it says "This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds) and somehow he couldn't pull the nano from his pants quickly enough. HAHA!

Score: 0

By improvelence

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 12:25 AM

I have time and time again said that Nano's are gay. And now they also light your pants on fire. If you are going to buy an ipod, get a real ipod so if it does light you on fire, at least it wasnt a sissy little nano that did the deed.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 6:04 PM

^Comment of the day^

Score: 0

By GS5

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 11:12 PM

I'm sorry sir, but iPods are no longer allowed on the plane. But it's not a iPod it's a $600 iPhone. LOL

Score: 0

By kbsoftware

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 1:23 PM

Isn't there any security cameras in that airport ?

There's something fishy with this story, like others have said so I'm putting a copyright on mine :)

Score: 0

By pitdingo

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 11:01 AM

So, the guy says the flames were coming up to his chest, yet has no burns and no one saw it happen but him?

Oh yeah, a piece of "glossy paper" saved him from burns.

Sounds kinda fishy to me.

Score: 0

By PSXp-ONE

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 10:27 AM

Ricky Bobby, YOU'RE NOT ON FIRE!!!

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Oct 8, 2007 - 10:20 AM

LOL

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 9:42 AM

Who wants to bet this all started with the words:

"Wanna see something really cool? Here, hold my beer."

Score: 0

By khetos

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 2:52 PM

you sir, deserve some respect, its hard taking crap all day from people.

i know, i work in a call center :)

Score: 0

By Neoprimal

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 12:20 PM

Holy wow you have fans!

How??!!

Score: 0

By PC_Tool

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 9:50 PM

I guess I just bring out the best in people. ;)

Score: 0

By SlapShot

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 5:06 PM

get a life you 10 year old turd loser

Score: 0

By crashoverride

posted Oct 7, 2007 - 8:53 PM

and just imagine what a post like that makes people think of you.

Score: 0

By kbsoftware

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 1:22 PM

Nah the article states that he works at the kiosk, that he's not a pilot so he wouldn't have a beer while working :)

Score: 0

By Weston

edited Oct 6, 2007 - 4:24 AM

I'd say the man produced some friction heat in his pocket himself...

Score: 0

By wreckedchevy

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 2:21 AM

new anti piracy measure put into mp3 player's by our beloved friends at the riaa. if it detects illegal mp3's and about 78% of legal ones it will cause it to self destruct

Score: 0

By 9h0s7

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 9:13 AM

this must be the precursor for the iphone 'brick' update.

Score: 0

By Tappa

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 1:17 AM

Maybe his pants were made of burlap and he didn't close the matchbook he had in his pocket all the way.

It's kinda interesting.. I've had laptops that ran hot but that tiny ipod?? Do you think that could that really happen?? Very interesting.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 5:34 AM

Mine runs quite hot if you watch a 3hr film in .h264 (obviously [classic] iPod).

Not hot enough to catch fire though...

Score: 0

By xyzcb1

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 10:32 PM

must be using sony battery

Score: 0

By Setian^Stalker

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 10:55 PM

lol gold ;)

Score: 0

By bodean

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 9:56 PM

LOL

Score: 0

By GroovyBrewski

edited Oct 5, 2007 - 8:53 PM

But which Nano was it? The fat one or the anorexic one?

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 8:28 PM

I guess his pocket was the ultimate disco inferno.

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 7:27 PM

We didn't start the fire, but...

/absolutely!

Score: 0

By c4p0ne

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 7:23 PM

This is a setup to get wetup. Apple prepare for a lawsuit. Herrree we go again! weeee!

Score: 0

By Bogunch

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 6:26 PM

"...Apple has said it would replace the unit. Apple has so far refused to comment on the incident."

If Apple has already said they would replace the unit and have thus far refused comment, they MUST suspect something! Is it more iJunk or MacJunk?

Score: 0

By DJInsomniac

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 6:40 PM

It just means they have no comment. They may not have a clue in the world as to what really happened.

Score: 0

By WeezulDK

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 6:08 PM

What songs was he playing, did he have a copy of Sister Sledge going? "FIIIIIIRE! FIIIIIIRE!"

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 6:43 PM

I hope he had some class and went for The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire

Score: 0

By 9h0s7

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 9:11 AM

"..[my ipod] fell into a burn'n ring of fire...."

Score: 0

By Ivoboss

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 5:57 PM

yeah right!... tell me another...

its just a lie... man trying to get some atention... for other purposes... money etc...

sad story...

regards!;)

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 6:01 PM

"man trying to get some atention"

Much like you with that comment, then?

And it's 'attention', ok.

Score: 0

By Antichrist

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 5:56 PM

I'm sure that after more investigation it will turn out that the man was a liar liar.

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 5:56 PM

*Groan*

Score: 0

By imafurby

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 8:57 PM

No, that would obviously be George Bush. (according to the demented half of the population)

Score: 0

By Paul Skinner

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 5:55 PM

Lawsuit in 3, 2, 1...

Score: 0

By Jordanr05

edited Oct 5, 2007 - 5:59 PM

He didn't get injured so he doesn't have a case. Maybe a new pair of pants...

However, if he is telling the truth, Apple may pay him to keep quiet. As it is, it sounds like he's trying to get his 15 minutes of fame.

Score: 0

By 9h0s7

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 9:09 AM

Doesn't have a case? Like the guy not so long ago who sued the dry cleaners over his pants?

Score: 0

By terminalx

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 5:53 PM

Now that is a "HOT" item!

/obligatory

Score: 0

By dougau

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 5:50 PM

Made in China, right?

Score: 0

By bbfc

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 6:35 PM

Made In Iraq
Caution: May contain traces of weapons of mass destruction.

Score: 0

By DJInsomniac

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 6:39 PM

Why would it contain traces of weapons of mass destruction?

Score: 0

By mjm01010101

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 8:31 AM

If only you had asked this question in March of 2003!

Score: 0

By DJInsomniac

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 1:38 PM

I tried, they didn't listen to me. Cause they knew there wasn't any. =]

Score: 0

By imafurby

posted Oct 6, 2007 - 4:50 PM

...which brings us back to Bush - (see above)

Score: 0

By dvferret

posted Oct 5, 2007 - 5:52 PM

You better believe it!

Score: 0

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