SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20161108-A5ABE-1606741. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Matched catalog product: Kenmore 417-93142200. Source model text: 417.97912704. Incident: Purchased on March 7, 2010. No previous repairs. Reporting poor craftsmanship and poor manufacture design that can potentially lead to physical consumer harm. I purchases a new Sears Kenmore Electric Laundry Unit on 3/7/2010. No extended warranty purchased. Model# 417.97912704 Serial# XE94701 011. On the late night of 10/14/16 I setup a light hot water white load and went to bed. Laundry unit setup in isolated individual laundry room single story residential home. 240 volt electric service. The entire family was awoken to screeching smoke alarms coming from isolated home laundry room. No fire present, only deep white smoke and bad smell of burnt rubber (like car brakes) opened windows to dissipate smoke. The following days called repairman to determine cost. Decided to open panel to personally assess damage assuming broken washer drive belt. Discovered multiple black chard splinter fragments everywhere inside confirming belt problem. Most importantly discovered that posterior metal leg frame holding up washer drum was broken causing washer drum to lop side and washer drum belt to rub against other metal parts. Serious potential interior home fire or physical injury if consumer near product during event occurrence.