Hotpoint FF175BP: Do YOU have the same fridge freezer that sparked Grenfell Tower blaze?

Seventy-nine people are feared dead after the blaze at Grenfell Tower destroyed 151 homes in the Kensington tower block, and the government has now ordered immediate testing of the Hotpoint fridge freezer which was involved. 

According to the company one Hotpoint appliance is sold every 19 seconds in Britain – and on average two of every three UK homes have at least one Hotpoint appliance installed. 

Whirlpool, owner of Hotpoint, issued a statement today. 

“Words cannot express our sorrow at this terrible tragedy. We offer our most profound condolences to the victims, those who have lost love-ones, homes, and possessions, and to their friends and families. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved including the emergency services who risked their lives to extinguish the blaze and rescue those in the building. 

“We are addressing this as a matter of utmost urgency and assisting the authorities in any way we can. 

“We will provide additional updates as out investigations progress.” 

What is the make and model of the fridge/freezer involved?

At this point in time the fire is believed to have been sparked by a Hotpoint fridge freezer (model number FF175BP). 

During the period March 2006 to July 2009, a total of 64,000 units were manufactured by Indesit under the Hotpoint brand. They believe the actual number of appliances in use today will be lower due to normal product obsolescence, given the time period involved.

These models were discontinued in 2009, several years before Whirlpool acquired Indesit.

Customers can find the model and serial number of their appliances checking a sticker – usually located on a behind the salad container. Or look for the model data label below on your appliance.

Should people with the FF175BP make and model return it to store?

While customers haven’t been told to return them to store yet, those who believe they may have a Hotpoint freezer model number FF175BP or FF175BG should call the Hotpoint freephone hotline on 0800 316 3826 or visit hotpointservice.co.uk/fridgefreezer.  

Do customers with Hotpoint products need to worry about a similar incident?

A Hotpoint spokesperson said the company is working with the authorities to obtain access to the appliance so they can assist with the ongoing investigation. 

Under these circumstances they’re unable to speculate on further details at this time. 

How often should people replace their Hotpoint products?

On it’s website, Hotpoint said it wanted to be able to provide products to customer which last for a lengthier period of time than five years.

Piero Pracchi, Marketing Director for Hotpoint, wrote: “Offering our customers a 10-year Parts Guarantee is  reflection of Hotpoint’s pledge to support consumers past the point of sale. We want our customers to know we are with them every step of the way.” 

Greg Clark, Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said: “The safety of consumers is paramount. The device is being subject to immediate and rigorous testing to establish the cause of the fire.

“I have made clear to the company that I will expect them to replace any item without delay if it is established that there is a risk in using them.”

Whirlpool tumble dryers

Back in February 2017, Whirlpool encountered a problem with another of its products – a tumble dryer. Customers were told not to use their faulty tumble dryers as part of safety advice. (http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/771123/whirlpool-faulty-tumble-dryers) 

The faulty Hotpoint, Indent and Creda dryers caused a series of fires over the past year – one of the biggest ripped through an 18-storey high rise building in Shepherds Bush, leaving several families homeless. 

Towards the end of last year, it was recommended that those with faulty machines contact Whirlpool to have their machine modified as quickly as possible. 

The company insisted the faulty machines – a reported 5.3million – were safe to use so long as they were not left unattended. 

But London Fire Brigade also campaigned for people to switch off their machines since the incidents started happening. 

Charlie Pugsley, Head of Fire Investigation at London Fire Brigade, said: “We’re feeling a huge relief this morning. 

“Where there’s any risk of potential fire from domestic appliances we should not be telling consumers they’re safe to use.”