A brand new iPad Air that was supposed to be used for a demonstration model for customers exploded and burst into flames, forcing the Australian store to close so firefighters could clear the scene.
Smoke and sparks continued to spew from the device, and shop workers couldn’t contain the flames, the Vodafone store said in a statement, The Daily Mail reported. A spokesperson for the company also said the “burst of flames” appeared to be coming from the charging area of the iPad Retina, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Nobody was injured — but Apple may have suffered a deep public relations hit. This isn’t the first time one of its devices has exploded into flames. There have been several reports of iPhones exploding and hurting users — but not yet an iPad, The Daily Mail said.
The iPad Air, just released by Apple around the globe on Nov. 1, was totally destroyed in the explosion. An Apple worker has reportedly taken the pieces for research, but the company hasn’t commented. The Daily Mail said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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