NEW YORK: A week ahead of the launch of new MacOS-powered computers, Apple is investigating a claim that its latest device iPhone 7 overheated, caught fire and reportedly destroyed a car in Australia.
The incident comes at a time when South Korean giant Samsung is recuperating from the aftermath of the premium Galaxy Note 7 device failure, which has been in news for catching fire.
According to a report in technology website Fortune, Australian man Mat Jones left his iPhone 7 in his car while he was at a surfing lesson.
When Jones returned, he saw his vehicle filled with smoke and burned up in the same area where he had placed his iPhone 7.
Jones said his iPhone 7 was to blame and he shared images showing the molten remains of his Apple smartphone.
His pants, in which he had wrapped the iPhone 7 before heading to his lesson, were on fire when he got to his car, a report by Australia's 7 News noted.
"Ash was just coming from inside the pants, which then once you wrapped open the pants, the phone was just melting inside of it," Jones was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, an Apple spokesperson said the company is in contact with Jones and investigating the matter, Fortune reported.