The company behind the Hotpoint fridge-freezer linked to the devastating Grenfell Tower fire is facing legal action for allegedly failing to test the model’s materials against fire safety standards.
As reported by the *Financial Times*, Beko Europe—formerly known as Whirlpool—is among several businesses named in a High Court lawsuit exceeding £358 million. Investigations previously identified the Hotpoint FF175BP fridge-freezer as the likely initial source of the fire in June 2017, which tragically claimed over 70 lives.
Lawyers representing the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, as detailed in *The Guardian*, argue that Beko Europe neglected to test critical materials such as the plastic backing, foam, and polystyrene used in the fridge-freezer. They contend that such materials would have failed compliance under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 if properly tested.
In response, the company disputes these allegations and asserts it is “vigorously defending” the claims.
Meanwhile, Arçelik, the Turkish parent company of the Beko brand, completed a merger last year with U.S.-based Whirlpool, forming Beko Europe.
The issue of fire safety in household appliances has been a longstanding concern. A 2013 report by the London Fire Brigade highlighted fridges and freezers as among the “most dangerous household appliances during a fire,” citing the high amounts of plastic and flammable insulation as contributing to approximately 300 fridge-related fires annually across Great Britain.
Category Archives: product recall
Half a Million LG Stoves Recalled Over Fire Risk
Over 500,000 LG ranges have been recalled, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
On February 6, the agency issued a statement to consumers warning that there have been at least “86 reports of unintentional activation of the front-mounted knobs” — meaning the knobs were accidentally bumped or pushed, causing the appliance to turn on. These incidents have led to more than 28 fires, including five that caused “extensive property damage.” At least eight resulted in minor injuries, such as burns, and tragically, three involved pet fatalities https://lgecares.com/rangerecall/
Recall: Glass cooktops may turn on by themselves
Some Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and JennAir brand glass cooktops could be a fire hazard.A recall notice posted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission said certain models can turn on by themselves.
The recall applies to about 26,300 stoves sold in the United States, along with 1,928 sold in Canada and Mexico.
The recalled stoves were manufactured between December 2016 and July 2019.
Wolf Appliance announces recall for dual fuel ranges due to burn, fire risks
Wolf Appliance is recalling around 44,000 of its Wolf Dual Fuel Ranges with infrared griddles in the U.S., as well as about 1,400 that were sold in Canada.
The recall was initiated over concerns the dual fuel ranges could short circuit in the event liquids were to boil over or spill on the griddle unexpectedly, posing a burn and fire hazard.
Where: The recall affects consumers in the USA and Canada
SMEG USA Recalls Refrigerators Due to Injury Hazard
SMEG USA Inc., of New York, has issued a recall for approximately 900 SMEG refrigerators because the door can detach and fall off, posing an injury risk to consumers
If you bought this refrigerator, stop using it immediately. Contact SMEG USA to schedule a free repair by a certified service provider. You will be asked to email a photo of the refrigerator’s model number and the serial number to the company.
Electrolux Group Reannounces Recall of Frigidaire and Kenmore Electric Ranges
If you have an electric Kenmore or Frigidaire stove, you should check your model number to see if it’s been recalled.
200,000 stove tops from Kenmore and Frigidaire have been recalled by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission because they pose a risk of fire or burn injury. If you have a Kenmore or Frigidaire electric cooktop that was purchased between June of 2001 and August of 2009, you should check to see if your stove is included in the recall. Here’s what you need to know about the recall and how to deal with a recalled stove
Over 200 incidents have been reported of the stoves exhibiting problems with the switches that control the burners. 14 fires and eight injuries due to burns and smoke inhalation have been caused by the faulty burners. There was an original recall issued in 2009, but Electrolux has reissued the recall because of the more than 200 reported incidents since then.https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Electrolux-Group-Reannounces-Recall-of-Frigidaire-and-Kenmore-Electric-Ranges-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Multiple-Fires-and-Injuries-Reported
FAULTY KITCHEN APPLIANCE IS IDENTIFIED AS CAUSE OF DEADLY VALENCIA FIRE IN SPAIN THAT KILLED 10 PEOPLE
FAULTY kitchen appliance caused last month’s Valencia apartment block fire that killed 10 people.
A secrecy order on the court investigation into the blaze in the Campanar district of the city has been lifted, with the Government delegate in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabe, revealing the cause on Monday Bernabe said that the blaze was started by ‘an appliance in the kitchen’ and indicated that it could have been a refrigerator.
Dehumidifier safety after recall linked to fires
Gree Electric Appliances, which is headquartered in China, made the dehumidifiers that have been sold by G.E., Kenmore and other companies, including SoleusAir, Seabreeze and Norpole.
The dehumidifiers are linked to 23 fires and three deaths in the U.S., and nearly 700 reports of overheating. The three deaths were last year — two were in Missouri and one in Iowa.Gree Electric Appliances has a link on its website for refund information. The company has recalled 2.5 million dehumidifiers due to the fire risk.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards undertaking an investigation into the safety of gas hobs
OPSS is currently undertaking an investigation into the safety of gas hobs, supplied by Apelson Appliances UK Ltd, Buy It Direct Ltd, Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, Kingfisher International Products Ltd, Lancaster Holdings Ltd, Maurice Lay Distributors Ltd, Product Care Trading Ltd, Stax Trade Centres Ltd and The Wright Buy Ltd.
The investigation, which was initiated following an explosion at a caravan park in April this year, where a person suffered serious burns, involves the elbow joints that connect the product to the gas supply. On certain gas hobs supplied by these businesses, there is a potential cause of a risk of a gas leak.
Safety Reports:
Electrolux Group Recalls Frigidaire Gas Laundry Centers Due to Fire Hazard
Electrolux Home Products recalled about 13,600 Frigidaire Gas Laundry Centers
The problem, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice, is “The felt seal on the dryer drum can be folded inward which can lead to lint accumulation, creating a fire hazard.”This recall involves all Frigidaire Gas Laundry Centers with model numbers FFLG4033QW and FFLG4033QT. The Laundry Centers were sold in white and titanium colors and have “FRIGIDAIRE” written below the dryer door. The serial number is located on a white sticker inside the dryer door, and the following serial numbers are included in this recall:
Model Numbers
Serial Numbers
FFLG4033QWX
4E44114739 through 4E81603034
FFLG4033QTX
4E44308482 through 4E81603380
Remedy:
Consumers should immediately stop using the dryer of the recalled Laundry Centers and contact Electrolu
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