Gargoyle, thanks for signing your Guest post. I would agree if it was an accident but those pillows were in their proper place and the computer system was turned off when we left the house. Besides, suing my parents would get me nothing. They don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of.

What I was hoping for with this thread was something along the line of Amos' contribution on the potential heat inside the monitor. Thanks, Amos.

I am aware of the dust and dirt buildup in electronic equipment though, like many people in this world, I tend to forget about it during my daily chores. Maybe a can of compressed air will sit beside my next computer and get used on occasion.

The pillows in question were designed for use on a couch according to Wintergreen who bought them. I assume they were fire resistant. The piece that was left on the monitor top appeared mostly undamaged though the fire was hot enough to crack the congrete block wall behind the monitor. The pillow fragment may have survived because the monitor fell to the floor after the monitor base melted.

I guess the best this thread can offer is to suggest to the rest of the computer world that there are potential dangers that must be guarded against.