What would you do if your smartphone turned into a fire hazard while you slept? This nightmare became a reality for one Google Pixel 6a user when their device caught fire, despite having installed a mandatory update aimed at preventing such incidents.

According to a Reddit user known as footymanageraddict, the terrifying event unfolded on July 26, when they were jolted awake by a foul smell and a loud noise. To their horror, they found their Pixel 6a ablaze on their nightstand, less than 40 centimeters away from their head. In a panic, they managed to grab the phone by the cord and toss it onto the tile floor as flames engulfed the device.

The aftermath was devastating—not only did the phone suffer extensive damage, including a melted screen and charred internals, but the user’s bedding also caught fire. The smoke inhalation from the incident left them with a sore throat, turning their night into a scene out of a disaster movie.

This incident comes on the heels of Australia's consumer watchdog issuing a warning about the Pixel 6a’s propensity for battery overheating. Just prior, Google had released a mandatory update to address these issues, which they claimed would reduce charging speeds and battery life to combat overheating risk. Unfortunately, this update did not prevent this latest fire.

What’s even more alarming? This marks the fifth reported fire incident involving the Pixel 6a in the past year. While the previous cases occurred before the Battery Performance Program update, this latest occurrence raises serious questions about the effectiveness of Google’s fixes. The user had been charging their device using a Steam Deck’s 45W charger, but they hadn’t noticed any signs of battery swelling or damage prior to the fire.

In light of the situation, Google has offered free battery replacements for affected devices, although this user reported difficulties accessing walk-in replacements in their country. Furthermore, the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission has noted that users don’t need to return their devices, adding to the confusion for many Pixel 6a owners.

As of now, we’ve reached out to Google for comments on this alarming incident and whether they plan to take further action, such as a mandatory recall. With these ongoing issues, recommending the mid-range Pixel phones is becoming an increasingly challenging task.