When That Power Bank Turned Into An Unwanted Firework Show
Calling It Ms Leong – 51, Melbourne, Hiding From Battery Ghosts
Picture this: you’re on a video chat with a friend, your phone’s batteries are waving a white flag, and you decide that the safest place to brace your phone is on the sofa while you power it up. Spoiler: that’s exactly what Ms Leong did.
- Setup: Vending a power bank beside a smartphone, all while slipping on a comfy hoodie and headphones.
- Situational Twist: The power bank started to POP. Literally. A blaze erupted and rolled over the sleeve and sweater she was wearing – down to her left hand.
- Her Reflex: In a split‑second, she dropped her header headset and looked like a lightning‑fast “flame‑slapper.” She grabbed a blanket immediately to smother the fire.
- Her Thoughts: “I was just standing there, wondering how on earth this fire started. My skin caught fire, and I was like, ‘Whoa, hold up.’”
Hands‑On Rescue Action
Ms Leong’s instinct was to defend her phone and herself with whatever she had on hand. The blanket, the fans, the phone all became part of a quick “safety‑first” operation:
- She hugged a blanket around the hot phone and the power bank.
- Used her right hand to “slap” at the flames, which was probably the most ridiculous yet effective move.
- Silently prayed that her left hand wouldn’t become a second burn.
Trying to Keep the Calm Amid Exchange
While the video call just went on, Ms Leong’s party of two (“me” and “my friend’s funny voice”) had no need to update anyone about the emergency. It was more of a “you’ll just hear the loud hiss of fire, and the silence after.”
Take‑away for All Phone‑Owners
Let’s all do a little brain‑check before plugging into a power bank on a sofa:
- Check the Setup: Make sure the power bank’s traffic lights are all green.
- Keep it Safe: Avoid placing the phone & power bank on electric or flammable surfaces.
- Keep Power Out: Don’t forget to switch off the power bank once your battery’s up to 80‑90%.
Ms Leong’s story is a reminder that technology can sometimes go from humble to heroic, after all. If you’re at all worried about your phone battery, remember that the power bank itself is just as vulnerable as the battery you adore, and if it ever starts a mini‑fire, a blanket might be a better fire‑starter than an actual flame.
<img alt="" data-caption="Ms Leong threw a blanket over her handphone and the burning power bank.
PHOTO: Ms Leong” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”636cd944-a338-4312-ba41-b50174d6e8d2″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/blanket.jpg”/>
Ms Leong’s Wild, Unplanned Fire Drill
Picture this: a sudden spark on a sofa, the gentle hum of a quiet apartment, and—voilà—fire. Ms Leong panicked, because there’s no “none of this” moment when a blaze threatens the sanctity of your living room.
First‑Rate emergency tactics
- Water Bottle: She spotted her daughter’s water bottle on the table, grabbed it, and didn’t wait to get it full. She sprayed it straight onto the blanket – and the sparks rushed away.
- Dash to the shower: She then scooped up the soaked bundle, sprinted to the bathroom, and tossed on the shower to splatter every last ember.
- Friend’s mix‑up: Meanwhile, her friend was still chatting. “She saw the flames but thought it was just a decorative display,” she told us later. Ms Leong had to call it off and tell her to hang up. That’s a good reminder – sometimes your buddy just gets the drama team wrong.
When the real damage hits
While the fire was all squashed, it’s the burn that truly took a hit. “I didn’t feel it until I saw the blisters start to bloom and grow bigger. That’s when the pain hit me full force,” Ms Leong chuckles now. They’re now on a journey from “oh no” to “oh yeah, that’s cool.”
Hometown Heroism: Pawpaw Ointment & Insurance of Bandage Life
Her daughter became Ms Leong’s first‑aid sidekick, pulling out the pawpaw ointment—yes, the plant‑based, soothing cream that’s a staple in treating chapped and burned skin. After a quick dab, a bandage was wrapped. It’s the little things that keep life moving.
Doctor’s Diagnosis
After the first day of it all, Ms Leong asked a doctor, who declared that her burns ranged from first to second degree. Good news, a less severe outcome than 3rd‑degree burns or worse.
Healing in Progress
She says her hand’s still covered, but the area is steadily healing. “We’re keeping an eye out for infection. Once the blisters dry, I’ll be all good,” she says, with that trademark laugh.
Take‑away remark
Even with a blaze in the living room, a quick water bottle, a splashy shower, and a dash of humor can keep you from burning out the day. And remember—sometimes the bachelorette friend thinks she’s set for a light show. Stay vigilant, stay close to the fireman, and keep a sense of humor on standby.
<img alt="" data-caption="The state of Ms Leong's hand a week later.
PHOTO: Ms Leong” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”0c6936b8-d8d1-4612-96b3-89c74ee04b5e” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/hand2.jpg”/>
Gift Recap
The portable power bank—a friendly hand‑off for Christmas—was picked up from the official iWalk‑sg store on Shopee.
<img alt="" data-caption="The portable power bank was purchased from the iWalk.sg official store on Shopee.
PHOTO: Ms Leong” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”0627522c-0858-4993-afde-136bb89c58ed” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/shopee%20%281%29.jpg”/>
When a Product Turns into a Mini‑Fireworks Show
She whispered the surprising note, “It’s a genuine item, but why it exploded into flames is still a big mystery.” And yet, she’s grateful that her hair and face remained scorch‑free.
Her Safe‑House Verdict
- “I’m just thankful that my hair and my face did not catch fire,” she chuckled, a sigh of relief replacing the earlier panic.
- Her eyebrows stayed normal—no flaming torches were needed!
Preventing power bank fires
Power‑Bank Blaze on the MRT Causes Quick Evacuation
On May 24, a power bank caught fire onboard a bustling MRT train, forcing commuters to hop off at Somerset station as a safety measure. Quick‑thinking passengers managed to snuff out the flames, and nobody was hurt.
What the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) Says
SCDF released a statement noting that 27 power‑bank fires had been logged between 2018 and 2021. To keep future incidents at bay, they released some handy safety tips for anyone who keeps batteries in their pockets or bags. The same guidance applies to the batteries in laptops, electric bikes, portable chargers and the like.
- Store batteries in cool, ventilated spaces—no heat‑radiating spots or prolonged warmth.
- Avoid placing them near anything flammable. Think: no matchsticks, no dry leaves.
- Give batteries a quick visual check for dents, bulges or other twists. Swollen or damaged cells are a hot‑spot for fire.
- Never let a battery over‑charge; it can overheat, swell, and spark an emergency.
- Charge batteries on a hard, flat surface (like a table) so heat can escape efficiently.
Know When to Check
Regular inspections can help catch trouble before it burns. Look for any discoloration, leakage or odd smells—those are red flags you don’t want to ignore.
Bottom Line
It’s a quick reminder: keep your power sources in good shape, charge them responsibly, and you’ll avoid becoming the next driver of a train‑based fire drama.
—Original source: The New Paper. Permission required for reproduction.
