Phone in pocket catches fire after man falls playing badminton in China's Hubei
In short
A man in China's Hubei province was burned when a phone in his trouser pocket caught fire just after he fell while playing badminton, Korean outlets reported, citing Chinese media. The phone was about two months old, and he was taken to hospital. The exact cause of the fire is still being checked.
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A man in China's Hubei province suffered burns when a phone in his trouser pocket caught fire just after he fell while playing badminton, according to Korean reports that cite Chinese media. Korea Economic Daily, Asia Economy and Newsis name Haibao News as a source, and Dong-A Ilbo cites Yunnan Daily. Dong-A Ilbo says it happened at a gym. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
CCTV footage shows the man falling and flames rising near his pocket right after. Korea Economic Daily, Asia Economy and Newsis say someone who came to help him stepped back from the sudden fire. Korea Economic Daily and Asia Economy mention a woman, Newsis says a friend, and Dong-A Ilbo says two women. Dong-A Ilbo says the man first hit the floor with his right arm. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The man was taken to hospital. Korea Economic Daily says he suffered second-degree burns over much of his leg. Asia Economy says second-degree or worse burns to the leg, and Dong-A Ilbo says he was diagnosed with a second-degree severe burn. Newsis says only severe burns. The phone was about two months old. Korea Economic Daily and Asia Economy say its maker or brand was not disclosed or confirmed. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Korea Economic Daily says local reports raised the possibility that the impact of the fall caused a fault inside the lithium-ion battery, and that the exact cause is being checked. Newsis says it is unclear whether the impact from the fall actually caused the fire. Dong-A Ilbo says an expert put the cause down to the strong impact on the phone. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
Outlets add that strong impact or pressure on a lithium battery can cause an internal short circuit, overheating, fire or explosion. Citing Chinese media, Korea Economic Daily and Asia Economy say it is better not to keep a phone in a trouser pocket during exercise, because a fall or collision can put strong pressure on the battery. Newsis says Chinese media advised stopping use of a phone if damage is suspected. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The documents give no sign of wider consequences. Outlets use the case to repeat the local advice not to carry a phone in a trouser pocket during exercise and to describe how impact can damage a lithium battery.
Key facts
- The incident happened in Hubei province, China, when a man playing badminton fell and fire broke out from the phone in his trouser pocket. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- CCTV footage shows flames rising near his pocket right after he fell. [ 1 , 4 ]
- The man was taken to hospital; Korea Economic Daily, Asia Economy and Dong-A Ilbo describe second-degree burns, and Newsis describes severe burns. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The phone had been bought about two months earlier. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The manufacturer or brand of the phone has not been disclosed. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Local reports raised the possibility that a strong impact from the fall damaged the lithium-ion battery. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- A man in Hubei province was burned after the phone in his trouser pocket caught fire when he fell while playing badminton. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The phone was about two months old. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The man was treated in hospital. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Video of the incident shows a person who approached the man stepping back from the flames. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- The outlets say strong impact or pressure on a lithium battery can cause overheating, fire or explosion. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- What caused the phone to ignite Korea Economic Daily says the exact cause is still being checked, and Newsis says it is unclear whether the impact from the fall was the actual cause.
- The phone's manufacturer or brand Korea Economic Daily and Asia Economy say it was not disclosed or not confirmed.
- How severe the burns were Korea Economic Daily and Asia Economy say second-degree burns, Asia Economy says second-degree or worse, Dong-A Ilbo says a second-degree severe burn diagnosis, and Newsis says only severe burns.
- Who ran to the man's side Korea Economic Daily and Asia Economy mention one woman, Dong-A Ilbo says two women, and Newsis says a friend.
- Which Chinese outlet first reported it Korea Economic Daily, Asia Economy and Newsis cite Haibao News, while Dong-A Ilbo cites Yunnan Daily.