Overheating hardware can quickly become dangerous. This is something a player in the Philippines has recently experienced. In the end, his fan destroyed his gaming room. He himself was very lucky.
What happened to the player? The player explains himself that he had left his fan running for 5 days straight. The device overheated and a spark jumped onto the sofa. Shortly after, it was engulfed in flames. At least he was very lucky:
On one hand, the family had a fire extinguisher readily available and was able to prevent the fire from spreading further. On the other hand, he got away with his life and was not injured.
Player hopes his gaming PC survived the fire
Now he hopes that his gaming PC has survived the fire. There is indeed a chance that the hardware has survived:
- For instance, a PS5 was severely damaged in a house fire, but still worked perfectly later.
- In another case, a gaming PC was destroyed during a fire, but certain cables survived the fire.
So far, the player has not stated in his thread on reddit whether the PC survived the fire. However, he does say that it was more important that no one in his family was injured. Because life cannot be replaced, but he can buy computer hardware anew at any time.
Be cautious with electronics in the home: The fire department regularly points out that electronics are currently the number 1 fire hazard in every home. Daisy-chained power strips or combustible materials placed on a power strip can quickly cause a fire. The insurance company ERGO lists three main causes:
- Overloaded power strips.
- Improper use of technology.
- Outdated or defective devices.
What is often underestimated: Devices that are in standby mode consume power, generate heat, and can also cause a short circuit. If combustible objects, such as curtains or a sofa, are nearby, this can quickly lead to a fire. Therefore, we also recommend turning off the PS5 regularly and not leaving your gaming PC running overnight.
Moreover, many people have never experienced a house fire and then react in panic. Often, the fire spreads rapidly, even though thoughtful action could prevent greater damage. For example, this is pointed out by the Frankfurt Fire Department.
Another player was also lucky in disaster during a fire: Because he lost all his possessions in a fire. Thanks to insurance, he got a few things reimbursed, but in the end, he did not have enough money to buy a new computer. In that case, the manufacturer stepped in for him: Player loses his gaming PC in a fire, insurance for 360 euros refuses to pay – The manufacturer simply replaces the PC for free
