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Vodafone store evacuated as iPad demo model catches fire [Update: Not an Air]

Update: A Vodafone spokesperson says that the model that caught fire was not an Air:

“It was an earlier generation iPad with Retina display model — not one of the more recently launched devices. Apple is investigating the cause,” a Vodafone Australia spokesperson told Mashable.

A Vodafone store in Canberra, Australia, had to be evacuated and the fire brigade called in after a demo model iPad Air caught fire, reports news.com.au.

“A burst of flames” appeared from the charging port of an iPad demo model, a Vodafone spokesperson confirmed.

The fire brigade was called in after the store filled with smoke and sparks continued to appear from the charging port.

Nobody was hurt.

There have been several reports of iPhones and iPads catching fire while charging, but these have generally been associated with third-party or counterfeit chargers. As an official Vodafone store, a third-party charger would seem unlikely.

It’s reported that Apple sent a representative to the store to collect the iPad for investigation.

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Comments

  1. Simone Nobile - 11 years ago

    Air, fire… where’s water and earth?

  2. PMZanetti - 11 years ago

    Definitely unsettling. I don’t use anything but Apple cables/chargers for fear of what could (and has happened)…but for it to Apple at a carrier store is a bit worrisome.

  3. Joe Cranford (@jodeo) - 11 years ago

    So… Is Amazon going to sue?

  4. I don’t know how many have seen the mess of wires in these stores, but it is a fire waiting to happen…!!! And normally there is so much stuff plugged into so many sockets on extensions that you really have no idea what plugs are in there if even original, it is quite possible that when the staff install the new stuff they simply use the old leads, meaning the under powering of units which could be a fir risk in itself ads the socket would overheat very quickly…!!!

  5. aeronmichaelangelo - 11 years ago

    Yes it is likely. Apple Store, no. cut-corners and save money at the expense of doing it right 3rd party sellers, yes. Every single time this happens the knee-jerk reaction is blaming Apple… and every single time it turns out to be crappy uncertified chargers or home repairs.

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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