Beware: Dishwashers pose fire hazard

(WPRI) - An important consumer alert tonight. Hundreds of people say their dishwashers caught fire!

Right now we've discovered a class action lawsuit has just been filed against whirlpool. The suit alleges the company knows about this dangerous defect but concealed it from the public.

We've uncovered hundreds of complaints from angry people nationwide who say they are lucky to be alive after their dishwashers unexpectedly caught fire. Russ Zito from Cumberland is one of those people.

• Video: Dishwashers catch fire unexpectedly

He says it all started early one morning with "A puff of smoke, and burning plastic." With his kids still sleeping, Russ raced to shut off the circuit breaker when he noticed his Kitchenaid dishwasher was on fire.

"Typically we run it at night when we go to bed. Thank god we didn't do that."

Russ found the fire started in the circuit board. He took pictures as proof. "It burnt a hole, burned right through the control board," says Russ.

Eyewitness News uncovered Russ is not alone. We found hundreds of complaints on a website started by outraged homeowners who all say their Kitchenaid dishwashers caught fire. One man says his dishwasher was sparking and shooting flames.

Despite all of these complaints there has been no recall. We contacted the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and they confirmed they have received complaints and are investigating.

• Report an unsafe product
• Consumer Product Safety Commission

Whirlpool, the parent company of Kitchenaid sent us this statement:
"We are currently investigating incidents that have been brought to our attention, and as always, working closely with appropriate product safety agencies in doing so."

Russ, along with hundreds of other Kitchenaid customers are now part of a class action lawsuit filed this week. Eyewitness News obtained the suit from federal court in California.

It says this is a devastating defect in the control board creates a substantial and unreasonable risk of property damage, injury and death.

Russ says he reported his dishwasher fire to the company but felt they didn't take it seriously enough.

"We need a first casualty," he says. "Somebody's house burns down maybe that's when they'll start thinking about it."

In response to the class action lawsuit, Whirlpool says it does not comment on pending litigation.

Click here to report and unsafe product or call Whirlpool at 800-422-1230.