The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but the user said his device wasn’t eligible for Google’s battery replacement program, and claimed the company downplayed battery issues as a “performance update” without issuing safety warnings
A Reddit user has reported a frightening incident involving his Google Pixel 6a, which allegedly caught fire while charging overnight—just inches from his head. According to his post, the phone was placed on a nightstand beside his bed when it suddenly burst into flames, filling the room with smoke.
“I woke up to a loud noise and a horrible smell. The fire had already started,” the user wrote. He quickly pulled the phone off the nightstand by its charging cord and threw it to the floor, but not before his bedsheet caught fire. The blaze also damaged a floor-standing air conditioner in the room.
The user emphasized how close the phone was to his head and expressed relief that the battery side wasn't facing him. He later posted images showing the burned device and fire damage, noting he suffered throat irritation from smoke inhalation.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unclear, the user mentioned that his phone wasn’t eligible for Google’s battery replacement program. He claimed that although some devices were flagged for battery issues, Google only referred to it as a “battery performance update” rather than issuing a direct safety warning.
The user has been attempting to contact Google for support but says responses have been vague and limited to community forums. Google has yet to issue an official statement, but the post has sparked wider concern among Pixel users regarding device safety and transparency in communication.
