Kitchen had 2 Fluorescent tube lights. One, (less than 10 yrs old), did not go on... new starter, methinks. 15- 20 mins later, went to replace starter... and saw whisps of smoke where wiring goes in.. and getting stronger! Worried that wiring above ceiling might be smouldering... with potential for a Blaze in loft/flat roof... phoned Fire Brigade. Note: SHOULD have SWITCHED LIGHT OFF! but did not think to! 
On return, still smoking until yellow Flash... and other light went off as circuit broken. Smoke rapidly diminished... had stopped by time Fire Crew arrived 10-15 mins later. ('School Run' traffic!).
They made thorough check with thermal Cam and checked loft wiring. Installed couple of free ceiling smoke alarms... existing ones on walls 'too low' at 12" below ceilings.  Very good troop and just pleased that it was not a major incident. Advised no electric until checked by electrician... got a quick visit next afternoon and light fitting replaced... no apparent damage to wiring... just the Fluorescent fitting that had  Burnt Out.

I have NEVER heard of a light fitting 'Burning Out' like that... neither at home , work or school... but Fireman said "It Happens"!

POINT IS... DO NOT just assume that it is just a small fault... it MIGHT NOT BE! So get Firemen out anyway... that is what they are there for... and do not mind at all! 

Sounds weighty, matey.

Must ha been a tad scary.

What an extraordinary coincidence.

Went to 'fix' one of the tubes in the pole-barn, yesterday.....it hadn't been working for years.....It wasn't in a particularly useful place...so had been ignored.

Was going to simply replace the tube..but Von said "Try a new starter first."
Tried to get the starter out....couldn't shift it with just my fingers..so used a pair of pliers.

It wasn't 'rusted' in place, but had partially melted, causing it to stick.
With all the f/tubes we've got in the barns...never seen that before.

Swapped the burned out starter for new one, and all was well.

I've had a flourescent light fitting burn out, the fitting for the starter collapsed and on trying to insert a new one it shorted and started smouldering. Took the tube out and nothing further happened, electrician replaced the whole unit with a new one.

When I have moved into a new home I routinely replace all sockets and light fittings when I decorate. That way I know they are of good quality, are wired correctly and how old they are.

You still have to keep an eye on electrics though.

Oh and I will not have one of those multi plugs things in the house. The square ones (not extension leads) The ones that allow you to plug two or three or even four appliances into one outlet.

QuoteIt wasn't 'rusted' in place, but had partially melted, causing it to stick.
With all the f/tubes we've got in the barns...never seen that before.

Swapped the burned out starter for new one, and all was well.

Hmm. Something made it melt. Suggest new fitting? The LED fitting that electrician installed much brighter... no starter... and NEW.

Orcs. I don't 'like' adaptors or extensions... but a 60s build may only have ONE double socket in a bedroom / hall... and only 3 in kitchen or living room. With all the kit we have now... plus temporary needs... adaptors and extensions are essential. And, it's getting worse... with power supplies needed for chargers, etc.

60s/70s... my bedroom double socket powered a bedside lamp or a hoover...and a new-fangled clock radio. Now... the above plus PC, Printer, Router, Monitor, lamps for same or painting table and various chargers. I made out lists for other rooms... but have seen sense to delete! LOL! 

We rely far too much on 'Power' on tap... but just one night of being freezing and reading by candles makes me less 'nostalgic' for the 'olden days'!  Lol.

I keep saying that if I had the money I'd strip this place back to the brickwork and redo plasterwork, flooring, wiring and plumbing ... then I realise if I had the money for all that I'd just move house!

Quote from: Ithoriel on 12 February 2022, 08:47:03 PMI keep saying that if I had the money I'd strip this place back to the brickwork and redo plasterwork, flooring, wiring and plumbing ... then I realise if I had the money for all that I'd just move house!

I bet you'd binge it on eight more pre-chariot armies!

I had the circular fluorescent tube in a magnifyer lamp 'burn-out' such that it melted the plastic surround before I noticed the smell.