Japanese Investigators Attempt To Link Fires, Overheated iPods

August 19, 2008 9:51 a.m. EST

Tokyo, Japan (AHN) - Japanese officials Tuesday suspect possible battery problems caused two Apple iPod Nanos to overheat, resulting in minor property damage.

Although there were no injuries, papers were burned in an incident this month involving the digital music player. In March, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reported sparks shot out of an iPod Nano. At the start of 2008, an iPod Nano overheated and burned a woven Japanese "tatami" mat.

The government has told Apple Japan to also investigate the problem.

A number of fires involving laptop computers using lithium-ion batteries also caused a series of battery recalls.