SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20130721-2A84A-2147453957. Severity: Injury, No First Aid or Medical Attention Received. Matched catalog product: Whirlpool WRFF3736SZ French door refrigerator. Source model text: GR2SHWXVB01. Incident: I opened the refrigerator to get milk out for my 18 month old twin before their nap. I saw and smelled smoke in the refrigerator, it could have easily been mistaken for the mist that occurs on hot days. I searched for the source of the smoke, but found nothing. I opened to freezer to investigate further and discovered more smoke. I closed the door and pulled the refrigerator away from the wall to see if there was smoke behind it or coming from the outside. I saw not smoke from the outside. I opened the freezer again, the smoke was more intense and was starting to fill the downstairs. I unplugged the refrigerator and grabbed a fire extinguisher. I opened the freezer again and saw smoke and flames in the back behind the plastic cover for the fan motor. I used the extinguisher to put out the flames. I checked on my wife and kids, they were all fine, and called the fire department. They came and investigated and stated that the fan motor had caught fire and to keep the unit unplugged.