Reliance Lyf smartphone 'explodes', 'bursts into flames'; pictures set social media on fire

New Delhi: In a shocking incident, a 4G Lyf phone, sold by RIL's retail arm Reliance Retail, reportedly exploded and burst into flames on Sunday.

"My family had a narrow escape today after @reliancejio's @Reliance_LYF phone exploded & burst into flames," one Tanvir Sadiq wrote on Twitter.

My family had a narrow escape today after @reliancejio 's @Reliance_LYF phone exploded & burst into flames. pic.twitter.com/NggIGMc8Zw — Tanvir Sadiq (@tanvirsadiq) November 6, 2016

He also posted a picture of the phone and warned people from using Lyf smartphones.

After the man claimed that his 4G Lyf phone burst into flames, the firm promised a thorough investigation into the matter.

"All those people who have this @Reliance_LYF phone need to be very cautious and careful @reliancejio," Sadiq said.

All those people who have this @Reliance_LYF phone need to be very cautious and careful @reliancejio — Tanvir Sadiq (@tanvirsadiq) November 6, 2016

@reliancejio this is serious & needs to be looked into immediately & all such phones need to be recalled immediately @Reliance_LYF — Tanvir Sadiq (@tanvirsadiq) November 6, 2016

The post by Tanvir Sadiq ‏has gone massively viral with several retweets and likes.

Reliance's response

The official Twitter handle of Lyf smartphone responded to Sadiq.

When contacted, a Lyf spokesperson said, "We are concerned about the incident reported on social media and are taking the matter seriously.

"We are assessing the cause and will conduct a thorough investigation in the matter. Customer safety is paramount to us and, based on our findings, we will take appropriate action." 

"LYF range of phones are designed and manufactured with global standards by some of the world's leading manufacturers of mobile phones. Each phone goes through a stringent quality control process," the spokesperson said.

Sale of Lyf smartphones zoomed after Reliance Jio started offering unlimited free 4G data and phone calls for customers buying it.

As per CyberMedia Research, Lyf smartphones are among top three 4G devices sold in India with LYF holding 8 per cent market shares at the end of second quarter of 2016.

Since last few months, Samsung has been grappling with a similar issue after people complained about its Note 7 mobile device catching fire and smoke was detected at few occasions.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has been banned across the globe on airlines. The company later recalled all its Note 7 devices from the market.

Twitter post by Tanvir

My family had a narrow escape today after @reliancejio 's @Reliance_LYF phone exploded & burst into flames. pic.twitter.com/NggIGMc8Zw — Tanvir Sadiq (@tanvirsadiq) November 6, 2016

(With agency inputs)