Mobile phone explosion causes fire; Student’s certificates and books destroyed in Kollengode

Kollengode: A fire, sparked by a mobile phone explosion while charging, destroyed valuable certificates and possessions at a home in Kollengode in Palakkad district. The incident occurred in the study room of Padmaja, a student preparing for the railway competitive exams.

The explosion took place at the house of Gopalakrishnan (Raju) near Oottara. According to Padmaja’s mother, Sreeja, the fire erupted shortly after Padmaja had stepped downstairs for tea. It was only when smoke started billowing out from the window that the family realised something was wrong.

At the time of the fire, Gopalakrishnan, a driver at a private company in Kanjikode, and their younger daughter, Krishnaja, a student in Coimbatore, were not at home. Neighbours and the Kollengode Fire Brigade quickly arrived on the scene and managed to control the blaze.

The fire caused severe damage, reducing the study room to ashes. Padmaja’s SSLC and Plus Two certificates, her collection of books, documents, and even certificates for her district-level Kabaddi achievements were destroyed. The plastic table where the phone had been charging, as well as nearby documents and cash, were also burned.

Electricity department staff arrived to inspect the situation and disconnected the power supply to the upper floor to prevent further risk. Padmaja later confirmed that the explosion was caused by the battery of a four-year-old smartphone. Despite the destruction, the family expressed relief that no lives were lost.