The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Xbox 360 burns house down

Fire fighters blame console's power brick

Agentless Backup is Not a Myth

An Xbox 360 has allegedly caused over $100,000 (£50,000/€62,000) worth of damage to an US gamer’s house, after the console’s power brick caught fire.

Can't see the video? Download Flash Player from Adobe.com

Firefighters called to the blaze in Little Rock, Arkansas told local reporters that the console’s power brick was the blaze's cause. The console owner's house has been reduced to a near shack-like state following the fire, local TV station THV reports.

Although the gamer wasn’t at home when the fire broke out, a fire department spokesman said the console’s power brick was stored on one side and close to a wall – which he claimed could exacerbate potential fire risks.

xbox_360_fire1xbox_360_fire2

The Xbox blaze caused over $100,000 worth of damage.
Images courtesy todaysthv.com

Microsoft has already recalled thousands of power bricks worldwide because of worries over a potential fire risk. But the company claims gamers can minimise the risks by unplugging the console and avoiding bending the power brick’s cord.

Microsoft has also previously admitted that the Wireless Racing Wheel has a power-supply flaw that may cause it to overheat and smoke – although no problems have been reported yet.

In 2005, an Anglesey woman was pulled unconscious from her house after succumbing to smoke emitted by a faulty first-generation Xbox, which had been left on standby.

Customer Success Testimonial: Recovery is Everything

Latest Comments

Recall

"Microsoft has already recalled thousands of power bricks worldwide because of worries over a potential fire risk. But the company claims gamers can minimise the risks by unplugging the console and avoiding bending the power brick’s cord."

Nope, that was the XBOX and the recall of the power lead

0
0

At last!

With their shoddy products, M$ are finally able to put people in real danger. How we've longed for this day!

C'mon XBox users, get abusing those power bricks. A few more like this and we'll be able to class-action M$ into oblivion!

0
0

Multifunctional

and I thought it got hot so I could cook my breakfast whilst gaming!

* Preheat Xbox360 for 1 hour whilst playing favourite game.

* Make a little tray out of tinfoil.

* Place on top of power brick and add a little olive oil.

* Crack open egg and pour contents into foil tray.

* Continue playing game for around 10 minutes.

* Serve up in a butty.

Yum!

0
0

More from The Register

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Proof the pen is mightier?
Sammy’s iPad Mini killer has a stylus to stab other rivals too
Microsoft lures buy-curious vixens, corduroys with a cheap fondle
Surface slab sales latest: Will no one rid Ballmer of these turbulent tabs?
First look: iOS 7 for iPad
No, Apple hasn't released it yet, but that doesn't stop intrepid devs
 breaking news
Curtain drops on Apple Store ahead of WWDC: What lies behind?
Steve Jobs watching from on high. No pressure, lads
 breaking news
Cold, dead hands of Steve Jobs slip from iPhones: The Cult of Ive is upon us
Billionaire biz baron's death clears way for uber-shiny iOS 7
Airbus imagines suitcases that find themselves
Point your mobe at your smalls to track their every move
Surprise! Intel smartphone trounces ARM in power trials
Tests show equal performance while sipping significantly less juice
Samsung plans LTE Advanced version of Galaxy S4
1Gbps download capability could stiffen drooping S4 sales forecasts
Apple said to be 'exploring' 5.7-inch iPhone
Who's the copycat this time, Mr. Cook?
Google Chromebooks now in over 6,600 stores
Major, worldwide retail push begins this summer