A Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 has reportedly caught fire once again. According to Telugu news website Sakshi.com, the Redmi Note 4 exploded in the pocket of its owner, causing serious injuries. The report adds that the Redmi Note 4 burst into flames while its owner, Bhavana Suryakiran of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, was driving back to his shop with the smartphone placed in his pocket.
It notes that the smartphone could not be pulled out from the pocket once it caught fire. The locals, who came to rescue, poured water to douse the flame but the phone was found to be burning even after being pulled out of the owner's pocket. This new report comes just a few weeks after a Redmi Note 4 was found catching fire when connected to a charger. While no one was hurt in that incident, Xiaomi found the use of a faulty battery charger was the cause.
Xiaomi's Redmi Note 4 is one of the highest selling smartphones in the country. The company recently confirmed that it has sold 5 million units of the handset since its launch in January. In an emailed statement, a Xiaomi spokesperson confirmed external force as the cause of the device catching fire. "Upon first impressions of the damaged device, we can conclude that extreme external force was applied to the device, which led to the back cover and battery being bent and screen getting damaged. A detailed investigation has been launched to understand the exact cause of the damage."
Suryakiran is said to have bought the device just 20 days back from Flipkart. The customer, who has sustained serious injuries is reportedly exploring options to file a legal complaint against the company and seek compensation for his injuries. Smartphones catching fire is not a new thing and there have been multiple instances of Apple's iPhone catching fire while charging in the past. Samsung's Galaxy Note 7, the flagship smartphone from the South Korean company started catching fire soon after its introduction last year. The smartphone was recalled globally and Samsung confirmed a faulty battery design as the cause.
The cause of the explosion of the Redmi Note 4 remains unknown and Xiaomi is expected to share more details post investigation of the burnt device. The company had recently advised its consumers to only use Xiaomi authorised chargers and accessories.