In recent days, incidents involving mobile phones catching fire inside schools have been reported in Pskov and Nizhny Novgorod. In both cases, the fires may have been caused by overheating or mechanical damage to the battery.

iPhone Catches Fire in a Student’s Pocket in Pskov

During a break at a Pskov school, a student's iPhone suddenly caught fire inside his pocket, according to the Pskov News Agency (PAI). Based on photos, the device appears to be an iPhone 7 or 8.

The fire charred the phone, melted the display, burned through the plastic case, and even damaged the student’s jeans.

Fortunately, the student was not injured—he reacted quickly, and other students put out the fire using snow.

Students in Nizhny Novgorod Accidentally Set a Smartphone on Fire During Class

Another incident occurred in School No. 3 in Nizhny Novgorod during a geography lesson. According to NewsNN, a student's POCO smartphone began melting near the battery.

The fire was likely caused by mechanical damage to the battery. Witnesses reported that students were poking at the phone’s screen with a ruler and a compass, damaging the battery and causing it to ignite. The fire triggered the school’s fire alarm, leading to an evacuation.

Some students later complained of headaches and a strong odor in the building. The school administration has not yet issued an official statement, and an investigation is ongoing.

How to Prevent Such Incidents?

  • Avoid using damaged smartphones.
  • Do not leave your phone plugged in after it is fully charged.
  • Get repairs done only by professionals.
  • Do not try to disassemble or tamper with the phone yourself.
  • Monitor the battery condition—avoid overheating or swelling.
  • Never use damaged devices.
  • Repair gadgets only in trusted service centers.