Another iPod Spontaneously Explodes

Apple should be getting more serious about investigating which iPods appear to have a bad temper, following a new incident where a student's iPod spontaneously exploded on her desk, during science class. Local Police and Pentucket Regional High School officials determined that the situation proved to be minor, while no one was in need of medical attention following the incident.

NewburyPortNews reports that, “Police and fire officials were called to a science room at Pentucket Regional High School yesterday after a student's iPod music player spontaneously exploded on her desk. West Newbury fire Chief Scott Berkenbush said the situation proved to be minor, and no one was hurt.”

According to the report, Berkenbush added that, “Some chemicals had come out, so we checked and made sure it was OK and cleared the scene. No one was transported. The teenager was checked out by (American Medical Response technicians) and not transported,” explaining that he had no idea why the iPod spontaneously exploded. Berkenbush went on to make a joke, saying, “iPod is the new Toyota. I think the problem is with the battery itself. If any moisture gets on it or it falls in a puddle, it can spark.”

Indeed, various reports over the years have painted a rather gloomy picture about some iPod models whose batteries appeared to be the main cause of melting, or exploding. The devices use Lithium-Ion batteries, which, in some rare cases, exhibit this particular kind of behavior – heating up, and even blowing up.

While the report does not mention what iPod model it was that the student owned, Apple is also not cited with a response. Admittedly, it’s early to see a statement issued by Apple on the matter, while these cases have always been deemed isolated. iPods malfunction in various conditions, and it is reasonable to assume the student might have not protected the device from outside factors.