Firewire damages pc?

Sounds to me more like a CYA discalimer on thier part:
The fact is that it is hot pluggable technology.

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/h/hot_plugging.html

FYI, this is from M-Audio's Knowledge Base. Similar cautions are made in the manuals for firewire interfaces.

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Caution: Do Not Hot-Plug FireWire Devices

Reports have come to our attention of isolated problems when hot-plugging IEEE 1394 (aka “FireWire”) devices. (Hot-plugging refers to making 1394/FireWire connections when one or more of the devices—including the computer—is on.)

When hot-plugging, there are rare occurrences where either the FireWire peripheral or the FireWire port on the host computer is rendered permanently inoperable. While M-Audio products adhere rigidly to the FireWire industry standard and pass stringent internal testing, the possibility remains that hot-plugging your M-Audio FireWire interface with some computers may result in the type of problem described here.

We strongly encourage you to protect your equipment by refraining from hot-plugging any bus-powered FireWire device, including the M-Audio family of FireWire products. Connect your FireWire device while both the computer and FireWire device are powered off. Power on the FireWire device, then turn the computer on last. If you are using bus power (systems with IEEE1394 6-pin connectors) make sure you make the cable connection first, then turn the FireWire device power switch on, and turn the computer system on last.

M-Audio is being proactive in investigating any issues that may adversely affect our customers. Please consult the Knowledge Base in the Support section at www.m-audio.com for updates on this important issue.

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In case your M-Audio FireWire device is not detected by your computer on startup, try one or more of the following troubleshooting steps instead of hotplugging it:

1. Turn your M-Audio FireWire device off, wait 30 seconds then power it on.

2. Put your computer into hibernation mode, wait 30 seconds then reactivate it.

3. Restart the computer (don’t turn it off) while the M-Audio FireWire device remains connected and powered on.

This can and IS a problem with certain more senitive gear. Over at the tascamforums.com, members have noted examples of damage occuring on their FW1884's. The FW1884 manual has a similar warning to M-Audio's.

1394 may have been designed to be hot swappable but there is enough evidence to suggest that it can not be assumed to function without damage on all devices.

Hot-swap at your own risk!!

ORIGINAL: _Roll_N_Rock

It could be that they are thinking ESD.

I suppose if you touched the metal while plugging it in and you happened to be full of static it could cause damage but im sure it is not very common.

EXACTLY, this can happen with USB also.
while rare you can fry the mobo with Static. very common for memory and PCI cards.

Scott
ADK