According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the units will be repaired or replaced at the expense of the distributor. Seven companies that distributed units made by Consolidated Industries will voluntarily repair or replace any of the units. It is estimated that 30,000 of these units were installed in attics across California and were sold under 30 different brand names. According to federal safety engineers, the furnace fires were caused by alterations made in the system to comply with regional smog control rules.

The Los Angeles Times has been investigating the defective furnaces and found 10 months ago that California residents did not know that they owned a furnace thought to have caused approximately 50 home fires since 1990.

The Times also reports that there have been no injuries or deaths due to the furnaces, but they have caused considerable property damage.

Publication date: 07/23/2001