Grandmother, 65, claims her Whirlpool oven 'exploded like a bomb'

Grandmother, 65, claims her Whirlpool oven ‘exploded like a bomb’ after tumble dryer scandal is blamed for dozens of fires

• Christine Burton, of Worthing, West Sussex, says the door of her oven blew off
• She was looking after granddaughter, aged four, when the blast happened
• The metal handle was blown across the kitchen and the inner glass shattered
• Whirlpool insisted it was not to blame and it was unclear what caused problem

A grandmother has told how her Whirlpool oven ‘exploded like a bomb’ while in self-cleaning mode.

Christine Burton, 65, said the appliance door blew without warning, shattering its glass and blasting its metal handle across her kitchen.

The 17-month-old oven was in good condition and within warranty when it blew up.

Describing the latest incident, Christine Burton, 65, from Worthing, West Sussex, said she was in her living room looking after her four-year-old granddaughter Poppy when there was a ‘huge blast’ that left them both badly shakensaid the appliance door blew without warning, shattering its glass and blasting its metal handle across her kitchen

But after a three-month delay, Whirlpool said it was unclear what caused the problem and insisted the company was not to blame, adding it was ‘unable to consider’ her claim for compensation.

Whirlpool has faced controversy over potentially faulty tumble dryers, which have caused 750 household fires since 2004.

Earlier this month the Commons business, energy and industrial strategy committee branded the firm ‘dangerous’ for using gagging orders to silence fire victims in return for compensation after the Mail first exposed the practice.

There have also been wider concerns over exploding oven doors, with one investigation uncovering more than 70 cases across major brands in recent years. 

When their broken oven was taken away, Mrs Burton insisted it should be examined because of safety concerns. She also wanted compensation for the distress caused to her granddaughter. Whirlpool said its checks would be done within six weeks, but it was not until November 8 that it wrote to her – to deny blame

Another Whirlpool oven door exploded in self-cleaning mode earlier this year, showering a family kitchen with shards of hot glass that scorched the floor.

Describing the latest incident, Mrs Burton, from Worthing, West Sussex, said she was in her living room looking after her four-year-old granddaughter Poppy when there was a ‘huge blast’ that left them both badly shaken.

The oven was about ten minutes into its self-cleaning cycle – during which temperatures reach up to 500C (930F) – when it happened.

‘It was a very loud explosion, like a bomb,’ she said. ‘I rushed in the kitchen. The metal handle had shot across the kitchen floor and the inner glass of the door was smashed to smithereens.

‘Poppy got to the edge of the kitchen to see but was too scared to go in. She was very upset. If she had been in the kitchen at the time it could have been catastrophic.’

Mrs Burton and her husband Keith, 69, called Whirlpool to report the incident on August 5. 

The metal handle is pictured above, which she said was blown across her kitchen. The oven was about ten minutes into its self-cleaning cycle – during which temperatures reach up to 500C (930F) – when it happened

When their broken oven was taken away, Mrs Burton insisted it should be examined because of safety concerns. She also wanted compensation for the distress caused to her granddaughter.

Whirlpool said its checks would be done within six weeks, but it was not until November 8 that it wrote to her – to deny blame. 

It said an investigation by its product safety team had concluded there was ‘no mechanical or electrical fault’ with the appliance.

Mrs Burton – who has a replacement oven from another manufacturer – said she would never buy a Whirlpool again, adding: ‘They act like they don’t care.’

Adam French, of the consumer group Which?, said: ‘This family has had a terrifying experience and this is not the first time we have heard from a customer who feels that Whirlpool’s handling of their claim has seemed dismissive or uncaring.’

Whirlpool said: ‘We appreciate this was a distressing incident for Mrs Burton. We apologise for the delay in processing her case, which was due to administrative error.’

It added a ‘rigorous inspection’ found no fault with the oven.

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