SaferProducts incident

Failure type

Fire / ignition

Incident narrative

SaferProducts.gov consumer incident report 20241031-D83D7-2147335619. Severity: Injury, Seen by Medical Professional. Product: JBL Charge 5 Portable Wi-Fi (JBL Charge 5 Portable Wi Fi Speaker. Black, 8.7" x 3.8" x 3.7", waterproof, dustproof, 20 hrs playtime). Incident: JBL Charge 5 Portable Wi Fi Speaker spontaneously combusted while resting on dry granite kitchen island. Product was not in use, nor was it being charged, at the time it exploded and caught fire, sending shrapnel across the room. Product/Home Owner was able to extinguish the 16" flames and quickly begin ventilating the home before arrival of the Fire Department. The explosion caused burn damage to hardwood floor, rug, counters and cabinets; acrid smoke filled the greatroom and heavy soot was deposited throughout the home. Owner has consulted with medical providers regarding irritated respiratory system following the incident, possibly from smoke inhalation. Fortunately other injuries, eg, burns, were avoided, but could have been quite severe if the fire had been worse or the speaker further ignited during or after efforts to extinguish the device. Harman International (product manufacturer) has indicated their concern about the incident, indicating to Owner that safety incidents such as this are isolated and taken very seriously. Harman explained to Owner the process that will be undertaken by their in-house Quality Lab, including root cause analysis and determination of any additional steps that should be taken to prevent recurrence of such a dangerous safety hazard. To date, Harman and Owner are cooperating on next steps regarding problem determination and reimbursement for damages.