Man’s Cell Phone Ignites in Pocket, Causing Serious Burns

January 18, 2007

A cell phone apparently ignited in a Vallejo, Calif., man’s pocket and started a fire that burned his hotel room and caused severe burns over half his body, fire department officials said.

Luis Picaso, 59, was in stable condition Monday with second- and third-degree burns to his upper body, back, right arm and right leg, Vallejo Fire Department assistant chief Kurt Henke said.

Firefighters arrived at the residential hotel Saturday night to find Picaso lying on the bathroom floor after a malfunctioning cell phone in his pants pocket set fire to his nylon and polyester clothes, Henke said.

The flames spread to a plastic chair, setting off a sprinkler that held the fire in check, he said.

Authorities declined to name the phone’s manufacturer and model.

The fire and water caused $75,000 damage to the room and a business on the ground floor, Henke said.

Was this article valuable?

Here are more articles you may enjoy.

Latest Comments

  • February 2, 2007 at 9:31 am
    Trippy says:
    Looks like all religions have suffered much persecution, torture & death, but claiming a different name to call your religion, doesn\'t make one any better than another, & nei... read more
  • February 2, 2007 at 9:04 am
    quaker in philly says:
    The Quakers rejected the Anglican Church. They started their own religion, the Religious Society of Friends. They suffered much persecution, torture and death for their dissen... read more
  • January 29, 2007 at 11:26 am
    Trippy says:
    Thanks for the lesson! Looks like no religion really has a right to boast about being the best! We all have out faults! Obey the 10 commandments cause they seem to show a good... read more

Add a CommentSee All Comments (50)Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

More News
More News Features