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This just happened to us so I started checking for other incidents. Our GE bulb was being used in a surface mounted ceiling fixture, with a glass globe over it. We were standing in the room with the overhead lights on and we smelled electrical burning. We traced it to the light bulb, which was then unscrewed; the base was too hot to touch. It did not reach a point of melting or fire because we were standing there when it happened. I don't know if the bulb was burned out when we turned the lights on and entered the room. Ironically 2 days after it happened I received an email going around about Globe brand CFLs (made in China) which have had flames shooting out of them (after being used properly. The homeowner was home and tragedy was averted. The email also contained this info: "I took the bulb to the Fire Department today to report the incident. The Fireman wasn't at all surprised and said that it was not an uncommon occurrence. Apparently, sometimes when the bulb burns out there is a chance that the ballast can start a fire."