On Mar 6, 7:30*pm, Paul wrote:
And this used to be a power strip (probably overloaded, not an MOV fault :-) )
...
http://www.obri.net/eeh/images/SurgeProFire2Jan03.JPG

An NC fire marshal describes why such events happen:
http://tinyurl.com/3x73ol entitled "Surge Suppressor Fires" or
http://www.esdjournal.com/techpapr/P...OR%20FIRES.doc

... when one such fire occurred in a fire station.

Each had failed, the one caught on fire, ...

... most surge suppressors house MOVs and other components
inside plastic housings that ignite and contribute to fire
development.

Alternatively, fire investigators m[a]y correctly determine the
suppressor was involved in ignition but improperly categorize
the cause as overloading or other related failure initiated by
the user.

To avert fire, a grossly undersized protector must disconnect that
MOV as fast as possible. Sometimes that thermal fuse does not
disconnect fast enough. Then a house fire may occur.