B777-200 captain reported a sheet in the lower lobe cabin attendant rest area was nearly ignited whe...

Narrative:

I was notified by the chief purser while in cruise that a bed sheet in the lower crew rest area had been inadvertently dropped against a night/passageway light and forgotten. Subsequently; the heat of the light started to ignite the sheet; and it was discovered due to the odor it made as it started to smolder. When I investigated after landing; the light which had been off for a period of time; was still quite warm to the touch; and there was melted blanket remnant; still adhering to it. I am concerned because there are two lights; one at either end of the crew rest area; that are less than 6 inches off of the floor; and apparently are quite hot while in use. The crew does not appear to have direct control of this light; and subsequently are unable to turn it off if need arises. The sheets being used; are of a synthetic material which; apparently is quite prone to combustion. I feel this is a safety hazard of significance. The sheets should probably be of less combustible material; the lights should have a guard to prevent direct contact with them while in use; and there should be some kind of warning or NOTAM issued to all flight crews; and flight attendants of this potential for fire hazard.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B777-200 Captain reported a sheet in the lower lobe cabin attendant rest area was nearly ignited where it lay against a light.

Narrative: I was notified by the Chief Purser while in cruise that a bed sheet in the lower crew rest area had been inadvertently dropped against a night/passageway light and forgotten. Subsequently; the heat of the light started to ignite the sheet; and it was discovered due to the odor it made as it started to smolder. When I investigated after landing; the light which had been off for a period of time; was still quite warm to the touch; and there was melted blanket remnant; still adhering to it. I am concerned because there are two lights; one at either end of the crew rest area; that are less than 6 inches off of the floor; and apparently are quite hot while in use. The crew does not appear to have direct control of this light; and subsequently are unable to turn it off if need arises. The sheets being used; are of a synthetic material which; apparently is quite prone to combustion. I feel this is a safety hazard of significance. The sheets should probably be of less combustible material; the lights should have a guard to prevent direct contact with them while in use; and there should be some kind of warning or NOTAM issued to all flight crews; and flight attendants of this potential for fire hazard.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	825979
Time
Date	200903
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZZ.Airport
State Reference	FO
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B777-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 160
Person 2
Function	Flight Attendant In Charge Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Events
Anomaly	Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

B777-200 captain reported a sheet in the lower lobe cabin attendant rest area was nearly ignited where it lay against a light.