"Gaming Mouse Catches Fire and Nearly Causes an Apartment Blaze."
It is reported that a gaming mouse caught fire, causing damage to a mouse pad and a wooden desk.
A user on Reddit has shared a disturbing incident involving their Gigabyte M6880X gaming mouse, which reportedly caught fire spontaneously, filling their apartment with black smoke and causing significant property damage. The user, known as lommelinn, presented photographs showing the melted mouse, burn marks on their desk, and a destroyed mouse pad. They recounted finding the device "burning in large flames," which they were able to extinguish quickly. Despite their prompt response, the room was left covered in black particles, affecting other equipment, including a modular synthesizer.
The Gigabyte M6880X is an optical wired mouse that is over ten years old. Due to its age, natural wear and tear may have contributed to this incident. Notably, the device does not contain internal batteries, thus ruling out battery-related overheating. Experts suggest that a short circuit or material degradation over time could be possible causes.
In response to this event, the company Gigabyte has contacted the affected user and is conducting an investigation into the matter. In a reply to the thread, the company stated: "We have been informed of the incident shared by lommelinn regarding the M6880X mice. The safety of our customers is our top priority, and we are reviewing this case. Our team has reached out to lommelinn to offer support and investigate the issue thoroughly. In the meantime, we appreciate the understanding and patience of the community as we address this problem."
It is worth mentioning that most PC components include mechanisms to protect against voltage spikes to safeguard connected devices. However, computer mice lack such safety mechanisms, making them vulnerable to electrical irregularities. This incident highlights the potential dangers associated with aging electronic devices. Users are advised to regularly inspect their equipment for signs of wear and to consider replacing any that show indications of deterioration to prevent similar situations.
