Three fires were caused in Japan by Apple iPod Nanos said to have overheated, possibly because of defective batteries. No one was injured, but Apple reported to the Japanese government that two other cases occurred where users suffered minor burns.

The trade ministry said iPod nanos with known overheating incidents were sold in Japan between September 2005 and September 2006. A trade ministry official said that the issue is being looked into. "We are not in the position to speculate on the outcome of the investigation. But after several incidents like these, it would be appropriate for Apple to take some measures to raise the public's awareness," he said.

It wasn't clear whether these were 1st- or 2nd-generation Nanos. Regardless, I'm reminded of the case of the iPhone 3G being too hot to handle.