This actually happened a few months ago to DH's neice. Luckily her mom (SIL) is up most of the night and smelled the smoke. Her phone was on the floor by the bed plugged in and caught on fire. SIL heard a popping noise and smelled smoke, got in there just in time to wake her and her son up. It was very close to the bedspread. Her phone never rang though...just bursted into flames. It burned the wall around the outlet.....be very careful. I have never felt safe leaving things plugged in over night anyway...this confirmed it for me. I got this in my email today...it reminded me of her incident. Hope this reaches alot of people!

From the email...not my pictures!~~

A few days ago, a person was recharging his cell phone at home. Just at that time a call came in and he answered it with the instrument still connected to the outlet.

After a few seconds electricity flowed into the cell phone unrestrained and the young man was thrown to the ground with a heavy thud. His parents rushed to the room only to find him unconscious, with a weak heartbeat and burnt fingers.

{{!gwi}}

He was rushed to the nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Cell phones are a very useful modern invention.

{{!gwi}}

However, we must be aware that it can also be an instrument of death. Never use the cell phone while it is hooked to the electrical outlet!