Can code damage hardware?

Can random code damage your hardware when run in Real Mode? If yes, give some examples how. What happens when the ACPI tables are overwritten? Is it possible to disable the CPU fan through code, and have the CPU overheat and break, or does the BIOS have moron-proof failsafes incase someone would do that?

Code can damage hardware. The firmware that controls the batteries in the exploding iPhones and MacBook Pros malfunctioned and overheated the battery. According to Mac hacker Charlie Miller, these batteries can be hacked remotely, causing the computers to overheat and possibly catch on fire/explode.
It just works.™