Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire CFL meltdown and fire risk

I just had a CFL meltdown in my bathroom. It flickered and went out. No big deal.
About a minute later, I smelled smoke so I glanced up at the bulb and noticed it was beginning to melt down and had smoke coming out of it. I watched it for about 10 seconds and could see that it was still heating, the melting was spreading, and it showed no signs the the event was going to end. I grabbed the tip of the bulb to remove it. It took very little pressure before the bulb crack on one side.I grabbed a towel and remove the bulb. It was pretty damn hot.
So I went on Google to see if this was a common occurrence.It seems that there are multiple reports along with multiple denials. Mine was in an open vanity/light-bar. Not enclosed and no dimmer switch. Just thought I'd give a warning. At this point I really don't give a damn what the lefties and Snopes have to say. I saw it with my own eyes.

WOW! So much for "cool white" light!

Glad you caught it in time!

Ed

Two fires in Alaska were found to be caused by this. Documented by the State Fire Marshall. One involved the death of a woman. If you have them, throw them out or run the risk of death. I can't believe how many put them in their house where their kids sleep at night.

Had the same thing happen with one of these energy saving bulbs. After a lot of smoke it just stopped by itself. Part of the base was melted away which was made of plastic causing the smoke. A stinking mess in the house. Are these things really a better idea???

I was in a customers' home a while back, they had one of these bulbs that had gone out and started smoking; it looked just like the one in your picture.

the result of no testing in China
Original CFLs made here lasted for YEARS and never had the fire issue.

But this is Very commonand the number one reason I will have none in my home.
I have seen them turn into mini flame throwers.
And set anything nearby on fire.

I've had several CFL bulbs self-destruct in similar fashion. Two were the hairpin type where the glass tube actually melted and popped, fortunately I was sitting next to the lamp when it happened. So I bought two cases of 100 each 60 and 100 watt incandescent bulbs - should last my life time. Too bad they were made in China also.

It is said that such a failure requires a hazardous materials cleanup, due to mercury release, but I suspect giving up tuna for a year will compensate. See what mischief environmental wackos create with their delusions.

For sure.. But now do you have that dangerous mercury in your house? Get ready for the haz-mat cleanup bill...

I will NEVER, EVER, have one of those pos bulbs in my house. And gov't be damned...

I've seen this happen at work a few times. No fires yet.

280shooter and anyone else who has had this happen, please document what happened, including photos, and send the documentation to your representatives in Congress and your state legislature. The "safety" issue is the way to turn the tide on the CFL mandate. Also, if some state legislatures start banning CFLs due to the safety issue, the tide has to turn at the federal level.

A hazmat laden, prone to fire product that is mandated by the .gov. What could possibly go wrong? Only paranoid tinfoil hatters would dare question our overlords..

Embrace your overlords, it's for the chirrins!

HAH... GOOD LUCK..

A small button on a child's toy and they're BANNED... But a fire-hazard, mercury-laden bulb that can burn down your house?? NO PROBLEMO...

I was totally unaware of the risks created by these damed CFLs...

Thanks for this informative warning.

5 reasons to hate them:

- they do not last as long as claimed, far from it

- they give a very unpleasant light

- they are ever so slow to reach full light output

and now :

- they will lit up the house!!!...

Add to that :

- they are damn expensive!!!

And they are so great for making a dark room even gloomier.