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.