Fire at Hillsboro Data Center Sparks Global X Outage on May 22, 2025

How a Battery Room Blaze Disrupted X and Exposed Data Center Risks

On May 22, 2025, a fire broke out at a data center in Hillsboro, Oregon, leased by X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, causing a widespread global outage that left users unable to post, message, or log in for hours. The incident, which unfolded around 10:20 AM PDT, has raised fresh concerns about data center safety and the reliability of critical digital infrastructure. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and what it means for the future.

The Incident: Fire in the Battery Room

The fire originated in a battery room at the Hillsboro Technology Park, a facility operated by Digital Realty at 6675 NE 62nd Ave. The batteries, likely lithium-ion, were part of the data center’s backup power system. Hillsboro Fire & Rescue responded swiftly, containing the blaze to the battery room by around 3:30 PM after a five-hour battle. Thick smoke filled the facility, but no injuries were reported, and all personnel were safely evacuated. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with officials examining whether battery maintenance or safety protocols played a role.

Impact on X and Its Users

The fire triggered a significant outage for X, with thousands of users worldwide reporting issues. According to Downdetector.com, nearly 6,000 complaints flooded in by May 23, citing problems with posting, messaging, and account access. X’s engineering team confirmed the data center outage as the cause and worked to reroute services to other facilities. By late May 22, most services were restored, but the incident disrupted millions of users who rely on X for real-time communication, news, and networking.

This isn’t X’s first brush with infrastructure challenges. In March 2025, a major outage was initially blamed on a cyberattack but later linked to internal security lapses. The Hillsboro fire underscores the platform’s vulnerability to physical infrastructure failures, raising questions about redundancy and resilience in its global operations.

Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Are a Growing Concern

Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in data centers for backup power, are powerful but volatile. When improperly maintained or exposed to faults, they can ignite, producing intense fires that are difficult to extinguish. Globally, data centers have faced costly blazes linked to these batteries, with inadequate safety measures often cited as a factor. The Hillsboro incident adds to this troubling trend, prompting calls for stricter regulations and better battery management protocols in the tech industry.

Hillsboro’s Data Center Boom and Local Tensions

Hillsboro, located in Oregon’s tech corridor, is a hub for data centers due to its proximity to renewable energy sources and favorable tax incentives. However, the rapid expansion of these facilities has strained the local power grid and driven up utility costs for residents. The fire has amplified local concerns, with some pointing to proposed legislation like House Bill 3546, which aims to regulate data center energy use and emissions. Critics argue that the economic benefits of data centers—jobs and tax revenue—must be balanced against their environmental and infrastructural impact.

What’s Next for X and Data Center Safety?

For X, the outage is a stark reminder of the need for robust contingency plans. The platform’s reliance on a single data center for critical operations highlights potential weaknesses in its infrastructure. As X continues to grow under Musk’s leadership, investing in redundant systems and geographically diverse facilities will be crucial to prevent future disruptions.

For the broader tech industry, the Hillsboro fire is a wake-up call. Data centers are the backbone of our digital world, powering everything from social media to cloud computing. Ensuring their safety—particularly around volatile components like lithium-ion batteries—requires rigorous standards, regular inspections, and innovative fire suppression systems.

Takeaways for Tech and Communities

The May 22 fire at the Hillsboro data center serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action. For tech companies, it’s a reminder to prioritize infrastructure resilience and safety. For communities like Hillsboro, it’s an opportunity to push for policies that balance economic growth with environmental and social sustainability. As investigations into the fire’s cause continue, one thing is clear: the stakes for reliable, safe digital infrastructure have never been higher.

If you’re an X user or live near a data center, what’s your take on this incident? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Kristi Noem’s Capital Burger Blunder: DHS Diva’s Purse Plucked in Pickle-Powered Pilfering

 

Kristi Noem

Thief Swipes $3,000, Badge, and Kristi’s Crime-Busting Mojo Mid-Milkshake at Capital Burger

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s Purse Stolen from D.C. Restaurant

Thief Snags $3,000 Cash, Sensitive Documents in Bold Heist at Capital Burger

On the evening of Sunday, April 20, 2025, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem became the victim of a brazen theft while dining at the Capital Burger restaurant in downtown Washington, D.C. The incident, which saw a thief make off with Noem’s purse containing approximately $3,000 in cash and several sensitive items, has sparked questions about personal security, situational awareness, and the safety of high-profile officials in the nation’s capital. The Secret Service, responsible for Noem’s protection, is actively investigating the theft, which was captured on security footage.

The Incident: A Quick and Calculated Theft

According to multiple reports, Noem was dining with her family at the Capital Burger when the theft occurred. A law enforcement source revealed that security camera footage showed an unknown white male wearing a medical mask swiftly stealing Noem’s purse before exiting the restaurant. The suspect’s use of a mask has complicated identification efforts, and no additional details about his identity have been released as of April 21, 2025.

Noem initially mistook the theft for her grandchild brushing against her leg, only realizing moments later that her purse was gone, according to a person familiar with the incident. This brief distraction underscores the thief’s opportunism, as the act took place in close proximity to Noem’s Secret Service detail, raising questions about the effectiveness of her security at that moment.

The stolen purse contained a trove of valuable and sensitive items, including:

• Approximately $3,000 in cash
• Noem’s passport
• Driver’s license
• DHS access badge
• Apartment keys
• Prescription medication
• Makeup bag
• Blank checks

The DHS explained that Noem was carrying the large sum of cash to treat her family, including her children and grandchildren, to dinner, Easter activities, and gifts, as they were all in town for the holiday weekend. While this explanation has been widely reported, it has also drawn scrutiny, with some questioning the wisdom of carrying such a significant amount of cash and sensitive documents in a public setting.

The Aftermath: Investigation and Public Reaction

The Secret Service has launched an investigation, focusing on tracing any use of Noem’s financial instruments, such as the blank checks, and reviewing additional evidence to identify the suspect. The theft of a DHS access badge is particularly concerning, as it could potentially compromise security at DHS facilities, though no reports have indicated misuse of the badge thus far.

Noem publicly acknowledged the incident on Monday, April 21, 2025, during an appearance at the White House Easter Egg Roll. She noted that the matter remains unresolved, but she refrained from providing further details, deferring to the ongoing investigation.

Public reaction, particularly on platforms like X, has been a mix of incredulity, criticism, and humor. Some users questioned how the head of Homeland Security could fall victim to a common theft, with one post stating, “How can she keep the homeland secure when she can’t even keep her purse secure??” Others speculated about the competence of her Secret Service detail, with comments like, “If the purse was near her, the Secret Service weren’t very attentive, were they?” Meanwhile, critics highlighted the irony of Noem’s recent remarks about gang activity, pointing out that she had previously flagged a suspect carrying $1,000 as evidence of criminal behavior, yet she herself was carrying three times that amount.

On Reddit, discussions ranged from sarcastic jabs about Noem’s “30-pound makeup bag” to more serious concerns about the potential compromise of sensitive information, with one user noting, “Less about the money and more about the potentially sensitive information/access to sensitive information on any devices in the bag.” Some even speculated, without evidence, about the possibility of the theft being a targeted act, though authorities have not suggested this was anything other than a random crime.

Context: Crime in D.C. and Noem’s Role

The theft comes at a time when crime in Washington, D.C., remains a significant issue, though violent crime reportedly hit a 30-year low in 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Property crimes, such as theft, continue to plague the city, and Noem’s experience underscores the vulnerability even high-profile individuals face in public spaces.

As DHS Secretary, Noem oversees critical national security functions, including border control, immigration, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity. Her department also includes agencies like the Secret Service, which is now tasked with investigating the very incident that occurred under its watch. The optics of the situation are challenging for Noem, who has positioned herself as a tough-on-crime figure. Critics, including some on X, have seized on the incident to question her competence, with one user quipping, “She can’t even handle being the Handbag Security Secretary, and people think she can be the Homeland Security Secretary.”

Broader Implications

The theft raises several broader questions. First, it highlights the risks of carrying large sums of cash and sensitive items, particularly for someone in Noem’s position. While DHS has defended her actions, the decision to carry $3,000 in cash, a passport, and a DHS badge in a single purse has been called “plain stupid” by some, including a self-professed Noem supporter on a Free Republic forum.

Second, the incident exposes potential gaps in the security protocols for high-ranking officials. Noem’s Secret Service detail, while present, was unable to prevent the theft, prompting speculation about whether the purse was left unattended or if the detail was momentarily distracted. This has fueled online debates about the adequacy of her protection, with one X user asking, “Where’s her Sherlock Holmes costume?”

Finally, the loss of a DHS access badge and blank checks could have security implications, though the Secret Service’s proactive monitoring of Noem’s financial accounts may mitigate some risks. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for heightened vigilance, even for those tasked with protecting the nation.

Conclusion

The theft of Kristi Noem’s purse at a Washington, D.C., restaurant is more than a personal misfortune; it’s a public relations challenge for a DHS Secretary already under scrutiny for her high-profile role. While the $3,000 in cash has drawn headlines, the theft of sensitive items like a DHS badge and passport underscores the potential gravity of the incident. As the Secret Service continues its investigation, Noem faces the task of reassuring the public that she can secure the homeland, even as critics question her ability to secure her own belongings. For now, the unknown thief remains at large, leaving Noem—and the nation—awaiting answers in a city where even the head of Homeland Security isn’t immune to crime.