VR headset explodes in Maine home, fiery chunk tumbles down stairs

A Maine fire department is warning people to be aware of what devices are plugged in inside their homes after a virtual reality headset exploded while it was charging in a bedroom.The Frankfort Volunteer Fire Department said that on Thursday morning, a resident was charging the external battery of a Meta Quest 3 on their nightstand when the VR headset exploded after a short while.Firefighters said the explosion started a fire and sent pieces of the headset across the bedroom and one flaming chunk down a 15-foot staircase that was about 14 feet away from the bedroom.The homeowner was outside when the explosion happened, but they heard it and ran inside to put the fire out.The fire department said a Winterport Ambulance crew responded to evaluate the homeowner for smoke inhalation.Members of the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the home to investigate the incident, while firefighters requested assistance from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to pick up the damaged headset and batteries.The homeowner wound up sharing two videos with the Frankfort Volunteer Fire Department that showed the VR headset explosion and fire.In one video, a loud pop can be heard while a bright red flash can be seen coming from the top of the stairs. The explosion sent several dogs who were in the house scrambling down the stairs. It did not appear that any of the dogs were hurt in the explosion.The second video shows that the dogs had remained downstairs when a second loud pop and another bright flash happened. Shortly afterward, a burning piece of the headset tumbled down the stairs.The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed to Maine’s Total Coverage that it is investigating the VR headset explosion in the Frankfort home, but did not disclose any additional details about the incident.

FRANKFORT, Maine —

A Maine fire department is warning people to be aware of what devices are plugged in inside their homes after a virtual reality headset exploded while it was charging in a bedroom.

The Frankfort Volunteer Fire Department said that on Thursday morning, a resident was charging the external battery of a Meta Quest 3 on their nightstand when the VR headset exploded after a short while.

Firefighters said the explosion started a fire and sent pieces of the headset across the bedroom and one flaming chunk down a 15-foot staircase that was about 14 feet away from the bedroom.

The homeowner was outside when the explosion happened, but they heard it and ran inside to put the fire out.

The fire department said a Winterport Ambulance crew responded to evaluate the homeowner for smoke inhalation.

Members of the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the home to investigate the incident, while firefighters requested assistance from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to pick up the damaged headset and batteries.

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The homeowner wound up sharing two videos with the Frankfort Volunteer Fire Department that showed the VR headset explosion and fire.

In one video, a loud pop can be heard while a bright red flash can be seen coming from the top of the stairs. The explosion sent several dogs who were in the house scrambling down the stairs. It did not appear that any of the dogs were hurt in the explosion.

The second video shows that the dogs had remained downstairs when a second loud pop and another bright flash happened. Shortly afterward, a burning piece of the headset tumbled down the stairs.

The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed to Maine’s Total Coverage that it is investigating the VR headset explosion in the Frankfort home, but did not disclose any additional details about the incident.