Pixel 6a allegedly caught fire while user was asleep, but it comes with a lesson

A Pixel 6a reportedly caught fire while charging overnight, and while the owner thankfully escaped unharmed, the story reinforces what most of us know but often ignore because charging your phone in bed isn’t just risky but downright dangerous.

The incident, shared on Reddit, came with a detailed (and pretty scary) account. The user said they were asleep when their Pixel 6a, which was charging on the bed, suddenly went up in flames. They woke up to a smoke-filled room, a destroyed mattress, and, of course, a completely fried phone. While they admitted they knew charging on a bed was a bad idea, the severity of the situation was a wake-up call — literally.

The post quickly turned into a mix of sympathy and a reality check from other users. Some were helpful, suggesting they reach out to Google for a replacement or check their home insurance. Others? A bit more blunt, with responses like, “This is why we don’t charge phones in bed.” Another pointed out that phones overheating under pillows or on mattresses isn’t new, and plenty of people have learned this lesson the hard way.

This isn’t just a one-off Pixel issue, either. Remember the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco? Samsung had to recall the entire lineup after reports of phones spontaneously combusting started piling up. Then there was the OnePlus Nord 2 incident in 2021, where a phone reportedly exploded and caused injuries. More recently, a CMF Phone (1) also exploded causing a tragic loss of life. Even iPhones have had their moments, especially when people use cheap third-party chargers or damaged cables.

It all comes down to the lithium-ion batteries that power most smartphones. They’re great for giving us all-day battery life but can be prone to overheating if something goes wrong like damage, age, or cheap charging accessories. When they overheat, you’re not just dealing with a warm phone but a potential fire hazard.

Experts have been saying it forever because you shouldn’t charge your phone on soft surfaces and definitely shouldn’t leave it charging on your bed. Phones need room to breathe since they dissipate heat, so sticking them on a hard, flat surface is the way to go. Using the official charger that came with your phone isn’t just marketing hype but actually safer.

The Reddit user who shared their story seemed resigned to the fact that Google might not help since the phone was out of warranty. But they weren’t alone in facing such a scary situation, as their story adds to the long list of incidents that remind us just how important it is to handle our tech with care.

Sure, it’s easy to get comfortable with your nightly routine by plugging your phone in, tossing it on the bed, and forgetting about it. But as stories like this one show, a little extra caution can go a long way, so next time you’re about to doze off with your phone charging next to you, maybe think twice because it might save you more than just a phone.

Featured image AI-generated with Grok