A two-month-old Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus caught fire during an overnight charge in Indiana, and Samsung has now accepted liability for the incident.
The phone was connected to an official Samsung charger and cable when it experienced what fire investigators called a thermal runaway event. The device exploded, ignited, and burned through the family’s carpet. All three household members inhaled smoke and needed urgent care treatment for respiratory symptoms.
The family didn’t just complain and move on. They documented everything: fire department reports confirming battery failure, medical records, purchase receipts. The local fire department held the charred device for a month before forwarding it to Samsung’s forensic team.
After two months, Samsung’s Fire and Marine Insurance division admitted fault. The company agreed to replace the phone, cover medical bills, and pay for fire damage restoration. They also offered $500 per person for pain and suffering, split between two adults and one child.
The family thinks that’s inadequate. Lithium-ion battery fires release toxic fumes that may require long-term health monitoring. One family member now refuses to charge her phone overnight, still shaken by waking up to a chemical fire in her home.
This appears isolated for now. The Galaxy S25 series hasn’t shown systemic battery problems, though two other fire incidents involving S25 devices have surfaced recently, one in South Korea and another in a car.Android Authority verified the case directly with the user and reviewed official documentation, including the fire report and Samsung’s written compensation offer. Samsung US has been contacted but hasn’t issued a public statement beyond what the settlement covers.
