SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20120106-29E55-2147471583. Matched catalog product: Kenmore 795-77314-6000. Source model text: 795 77543600. Incident: My husband and I awoke to smoke in our kitchen on Monday, Dec. 26th, 2011. Upon inspection of our Kenmore Elite refrigerator, model #795 77543600, the following was discovered. When the refrigerator was opened the lights on the interior roof of the refrigerator had been on, even with the doors closed, to the point that a plastic butter lid was melted/burnt and all items on the top shelf were hot to the touch. The cover was warped and melted with blackened smoke stains. There were visible smoke stains on the metal above the exterior openings where smoke had escaped from the interior of the refrigerator. The bulbs were so hot that when I tried to unscrew one, it exploded, leaving the metal end of the light bulb in the socket. The light sockets are blackened/stained from the heat and fire.The refrigerator had been properly closed, the lights remain on even after the doors are closed. We tested this by placing our camcorder in the refrigerator briefly while closing the doors. When played back the lights remained on, through several different trials. Both switches at the top of the doors could also be pushed in, which is what happens when the doors are shut, and the lights still remain on. There was enough smoke damage that we are having to repaint our ceilings in our kitchen and dining area. Our refrigerator had to be emptied out and cleaned 5 times to remove the smoke damage and smell, which is still evident. We have documented ALL findings through notes, photos, and video. I go