SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20231122-8616B-4486650. Severity: Incident, No Injury. Product: LG WM3770HBA (Washing Machine). Incident: The consumer's wife had a load of laundry washing when approximately fifteen minutes later she started smelling smoke. When the consumer's wife went into the laundry room she noticed flames coming out of the back of the washer. The consumer heard his wife's screams and ran to the laundry room. Because he could not get near the unit he switched its circuit breaker off. Both of them proceeded to use a bucket of water and a garden hose to stop the fire. The consumer notes that the washing machine underneath it was damaged beyond repair, and the dryer next to it was scorched. The consumer contacted the Manufacturer and explained the situation; the representative he spoke to arranged for a service technician to verify the unit caught fire. Once the technician verified the damaged unit, the consumer was informed they would provide him with a prorated refund. The consumer states that, prior to the incident, the unit was used five times per day. The consumer plans on keeping his washing machine for at least the next thirty days in case an investigation ensues.