Fires and explosions forcing AT&T to replace batteries in its street-side cable boxes

Cleveland Metro News – The Latest Breaking News, Photos and Stories from The Plain Dealer

Fires forcing AT&T to replace batteries in its street-side cable boxes - Cleveland Metro News – The Latest Breaking News, Photos and Stories from The Plain Dealer:

"The big metal boxes that have showed up on tree lawns around the region to help AT&T provide cable service have a flaw that can make them catch fire.

After four boxes around the country -- including one in Strongsville -- exploded or burst into flame, AT&T has decided to replace the backup batteries believed to be the problem.

About 17,000 street-side cabinets for AT&T's U-Verse cable system will have the batteries replaced soon, according to company spokespeople. Though the problem batteries are in only 'some' of AT&T's boxes, according to a written statement from AT&T, spokesman Bob Beasely could not say how many are in Ohio.

A box caught fire on Misty Lake Drive in Strongsville on the afternoon of Sept. 17, according to the Strongsville Fire Department. Sgt. Frank Nosal said records do not indicate any damage other than to the box. The cause was not determined."