How does this even happen?

[Kittish]

Out of toner again.

I would hate to be the person that had to deal with that mess.

[Chromatix]

Quite simple, as I've heard it. You try to fit a new toner cartridge, and fail - perhaps you drop it - and it bursts open. Instant soot bomb.

[csquared]

Ask Dave1982.

[lordlundar]

Ask Dave1982.

I wonder if it wasn't a photo relating to his story.

[fma_fanatic]

If it's the model of copier I think it is, those damned toner cartridges are fragile. I've seen it. Not pretty and it's a pain in the ass to get the toner up.

[Sandman]

Looks like the blower motor blew up.. looks like it could be one of two brands....

[Dave1982]

Ha...yeah that's a copier made by my company. No naming it publicly please!!

And yes, to the person who linked to my tale, that is pretty much what happened. The only differences were that the cartridge I broke was much smaller than the one that machine uses, and I was able to staunch the flow before very much spilled. My mess was MUCH less than this one and it was still horrible.

How can it happen? This is user error. Pure and simple. Someone did not follow the directions, which are right there inside the cover. It looks like someone tried to pull out the whole PCU instead of just the toner tray and broke it. That's probably actually developer that spilled, not toner, but they look the same and make the same mess, so it doesn't really matter.