NORMAL FIRE DEPARTMENT: Recalled Dehumidifier Likely Cause of Augustine Way Fire

By Press release submission

Sep 15, 2018

Normal Fire Department issued the following announcement on Sept. 15.

Normal Fire Department Investigators have determined that the origin of the basement fire on September 8 at 302 Augustine Way was likely a recalled dehumidifier that overheated. An official determination will not be available until an engineer reviews the evidence to confirm the Investigator’s findings.

Millions of dehumidifiers under numerous brand names have been recalled in recent years under numerous brand names and models. The recalled humidifiers are responsible for hundreds of house fires and millions of dollars in damages. The largest recalls involves 6.7 million units manufactured by the brands Gree and Midea, companies that build and ship dehumidifiers to different retailers under numerous brand names. Between the two manufacturers, there have been more than 2,000 reported incidents of dehumidifiers overheating. About 450 fires have been reported, resulting in more than $19 million in property damage.

“We cannot reiterate this enough, if you have a dehumidifier in your home, you have to check to make sure it is not on the recall list. If it is, stop using it immediately and contact the manufacturer,” said Assistant Chief Mike Morrison.

Morrison adds, “We know there are likely thousands of these recalled units still being used in people’s homes and we urge everyone to take this threat very seriously.”

Both recalls are due to a defect that causes the affected units to overheat, begin smoking, and eventually catch fire.

If you’re not sure if your dehumidifier is recalled, there are many resources to help you check.

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

The CPSC compiles product recalls. Search "dehumidifier recall" to get additional resources.

Website: https://www.cpsc.gov/

Hotline: 1-800-638-2772

GREE RECALL

Website: http://greedehumidifierrecall.com/

Phone: 1-866-853-2802

Gree has recalled 2.5 million dehumidifiers under these brand names. If you see your brand on the list, go to http://greedehumidifierrecall.com/ProductEntry.aspx for more detailed information:

· Danby

· De’Longhi

· Fedders

· Fellini

· Frigidaire

· GE

· Gree

· Kenmore

· Norpole

· Premiere

· Seabreeze

· SoleusAir

· SuperClima

MIDEA RECALL

Website: https://us.midea.com/Product-Recall-Information

Phone: 1-800-600-3055

Midea has recalled 3.4 million dehumidifiers sold under these brand names. If you see your brand on the list, go to https://www.recallrtr.com/dehumidifier for more detailed information:

· Airworks

· Alen

· Arcticaire

· Arctic King

· Beaumark

· Coolworks

· ComfortAire

· Comfort Star

· Continental Electric

· Crosley

· Daewoo

· Danby