An overheated iPhone 6 Plus battery produced smoke in an Apple Store in Zurich's main shopping street.
An employee was removing the battery from a device as it started heating up uncontrollably. The situation posed a real threat to the employee whose hand suffered minor burns.
50 customers and employees had to be evacuated. Zurich's Fire brigade and police are called to the incident. Apple employees reacted promptly, sprinkled quartz sand over the hot battery and turned on the ventilation to control the smoke. Seven people received medical treatment, but didn't need to be hospitalised.
Specialists of Zurich's Forensic Institute were also present to retrieve the battery. They are now going to investigate the reasons for the overheating.
Problems with batteries
It is not the first time, a mobile phone battery posed a danger to customers. Last year, a battery exploded during a Germania flight from Zurich to Pristina shortly after take-off and produced heavy smoke. The pilot needed to perform a turn and a safety landing.
Two years ago, BLICK reader Margot P.'s iPhone 6 exploded. She was still in bed when she heard the explosion in the room next to her. «I was terribly frightened,» P. said. She got up, opened the door - the whole room was full of smoke. Then she saw her iPhone all burnt. «Luckily, I didn't leave it on the bedside table overnight.»
BLICK keeps on reporting about burnt mobile phones. In most cases, however, the phones were not in their original condition or had come from cheap suppliers.
In particular, Samsung's Galaxy Note 7, made the headlines because of its dangerous batteries. Due to several incidents, the product had to be withdrawn from the market eventually. (jmh)