Have you seen a HPS or LPS break?

I am worried about possible fire problems from HPS/LPS bulbs. Can anyone describe how bad it is, and how long it burns??? Also, if you have seen a ballast fire, how bad was it??

I wouldn't worry about it too much, it's pretty rare. unless you mishandle the bulb, drop it then put it in the socket. Get fingers prints all over it. The ballast should be fine as long as it's not sitting on anything that catches fire relatively easy like carpet or cloth. Put it on a piece of wood and you are fine.