Nintendo Wii 'likely' started home fire, investigators say

A fire that damaged an RV home and burned up much of its owners possessions earlier this week was likely started by an Nintendo Wii console, according to fire investigators in Colorado Springs.

A news report by a local NBC news channel KOAA 5 quoted the fire department as saying all other possible sources of ignition for the blaze had been ruled out. "I got a phone call from the neighbors saying my camper was on fire," Trevor Pellegrin said.

"When I opened the door, I got thrown back by thick black smoke and flames."

The roof was damaged by the flames, as well as clothes that ignited and the man's television had started to melt. The Wii console was rendered a charred ugly mess. Luckily, Pellegrin managed to save some of his personal items but lost a lot to the fire.

The Wii console was switched off, but still plugged into an electrical outlet when he left. Typically games consoles are left plugged in by owners 24/7.

On very rare occasions, home entertainment electronics are linked to fires, but it's often a case of an overloaded electrical outlet or problems with wiring.

More info: www.koaa.com
Video report: www.kktv.com

Via GameSpot

Written by: James Delahunty @ 24 May 2015 17:16

stuntz0rZ

"Typically games consoles are left plugged in by owners 24/7"

I have 4 gaming consoles and i shut off the power strip each time they are not in use. My reason for this is because i hate the led lights that appear when it is off. Guess other people prefer having a fire than switching power strip off!!!

24.5.2015 18:34 #1

Jhult

I don't get why this is really up here other than for the fact that it was a piece of technology that started the fire. Frankly, the fact is that it could of been ANY piece of technology that started the fire. What causes the fire is a defective circuit, and when over half of an average homeowners possessions are some sort of technology with an electronic circuit, any one of them can short out and cause a fire. The fact that it was a Nintendo Wii is coincidental. So lets not get bent out of shape and start preaching the message of propaganda.

"One cannot govern his fate until one takes his future into his own hands..."

24.5.2015 19:05 #2

treyjazz

Connect24 strikes again!

24.5.2015 19:23 #3

alotanor

It was in a trailer right?
I think its obvious that a very sneaky tornado started the fire and blamed it on the WII.

24.5.2015 20:19 #4

pmshah

I think a lot of people are getting their information from TV shows that depict ridiculous impossibilities as fait accompli. Since when can you hot wire and drive away a car that has ignition key AND steering lock built into the steering column? Since when can you short mains wire and display sparks without blowing the fuse or tripping the circuit breakers? Since when can you electrocute a person with a 12 V car battery ? In fact during my stay of 6 years in the US I have, on occasions, worked with live household electrical circuits even without even feeling the shock.

24.5.2015 23:01 #5

DXR88

Originally posted by pmshah: Since when can you hot wire and drive away a car that has ignition key AND steering lock built into the steering column?

Since when can you short mains wire and display sparks without blowing the fuse or tripping the circuit breakers?

Since when can you electrocute a person with a 12 V car battery ?

In fact during my stay of 6 years in the US I have, on occasions, worked with live household electrical circuits even without even feeling the shock. 1) The steering lock is released when the car turns over, key or no key. Steering lock was designed to keep your cars wheels pointed towards the curb, not as an anti theft device.

2)since blow out fuses got replaced in the 60's, they are no longer necessary with neutral wiring. paper blow out fuses are still used in high current situations, modern throw switches can and will arc if there's an over surge of current.

3) the 12volt battery only works if the person is wet and not grounded. it was never meant to kill, and is probably one of the safest methods to keep your victim alive. its often used in conjunction with other less safe torture methods.

4) there something wrong with you, i made mistake of trying to blind plug a radio in one time. it wont kill you, but it will throw your ass on the ground.

25.5.2015 05:21 #6

Mysttic

Quote: I have 4 gaming consoles and i shut off the power strip each time they are not in use. My reason for this is because i hate the led lights that appear when it is off. Guess other people prefer having a fire than switching power strip off!!! If all you are doing is turning off the power bar rather than unplugging it, it makes little difference if a surge happens stronger than your bar can support. Just unplug the power from the rear of every console if you want to truly be safe, it doesn't take long and guarantee's to work.

25.5.2015 07:48 #7

ericb

Originally posted by DXR88: Originally posted by pmshah: Since when can you hot wire and drive away a car that has ignition key AND steering lock built into the steering column?

Since when can you short mains wire and display sparks without blowing the fuse or tripping the circuit breakers?

Since when can you electrocute a person with a 12 V car battery ?

In fact during my stay of 6 years in the US I have, on occasions, worked with live household electrical circuits even without even feeling the shock. 1) The steering lock is released when the car turns over, key or no key. Steering lock was designed to keep your cars wheels pointed towards the curb, not as an anti theft device.

Ummm, not sure about that, the steering lock is a mechanical lock that is released by turning the ignition key to its first position usually. Nothing to do with turning the engine over.... And given that they often need the wheels to be turned slightly off centre before engaging the "keeping the wheels straight ahead bit" seems a bit off as well.....

2)since blow out fuses got replaced in the 60's, they are no longer necessary with neutral wiring. paper blow out fuses are still used in high current situations, modern throw switches can and will arc if there's an over surge of current.

3) the 12volt battery only works if the person is wet and not grounded. it was never meant to kill, and is probably one of the safest methods to keep your victim alive. its often used in conjunction with other less safe torture methods.

4) there something wrong with you, i made mistake of trying to blind plug a radio in one time. it wont kill you, but it will throw your ass on the ground.

25.5.2015 10:39 #8

DXR88

Originally posted by ericb: Ummm, not sure about that, the steering lock is a mechanical lock that is released by turning the ignition key to its first position usually. Nothing to do with turning the engine over.... And given that they often need the wheels to be turned slightly off centre before engaging the "keeping the wheels straight ahead bit" seems a bit off as well..... The steering wheel will not lock if the engine is engaged. thieves smart enough to jack a modern car are not going to bother with a stamped key.

25.5.2015 14:25 #9

hearme0

Originally posted by stuntz0rZ: "Typically games consoles are left plugged in by owners 24/7"

I have 4 gaming consoles and i shut off the power strip each time they are not in use. My reason for this is because i hate the led lights that appear when it is off. Guess other people prefer having a fire than switching power strip off!!!
WTF???

You are a salmon swimming upstream in a world of tuna swimming down man!

I imagine the most common situation would be those with a single power strip that supplies for DVR, blu-ray player, cable box and let's say...............gaming console. In this case, shutting off strip would effectively kill ability to auto-record shows on the DVR and/or not get a signal at all.

You're in the minority my friend.

You made it sound like you're surprised by those that leave power strips on.

26.5.2015 01:32 #10

DXR88

Originally posted by hearme0: Originally posted by stuntz0rZ: "Typically games consoles are left plugged in by owners 24/7"

I have 4 gaming consoles and i shut off the power strip each time they are not in use. My reason for this is because i hate the led lights that appear when it is off. Guess other people prefer having a fire than switching power strip off!!!
WTF???

You are a salmon swimming upstream in a world of tuna swimming down man!

I imagine the most common situation would be those with a single power strip that supplies for DVR, blu-ray player, cable box and let's say...............gaming console. In this case, shutting off strip would effectively kill ability to auto-record shows on the DVR and/or not get a signal at all.

You're in the minority my friend.

You made it sound like you're surprised by those that leave power strips on. on a side note the consumption of tuna is at an all time high.

26.5.2015 06:21 #11

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