According to the Consumers Product Safety Commission, fires involving gas water heaters result in 316 injuries and 17 deaths per year. A gas water heater can be located in a garage or utility room where it draws in combustion air near ground level. If a hydrocarbon such as gasoline is spilled in the vicinity of the water heater, a fire is extremely likely.
If you feel that you own a defective water heater, call the manufacturer and store where the water heater was purchased. If they do not act in a satisfactory manner, please contact the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC regulates the safety of toys, appliances, household, and recreational products. Recalls are publicized through the media and on the Internet.
Read examples below of defective water heaters can cause fires and burns:
Patrick Nichols v. Agway, Inc.
The Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, Fourth Department permitted a negligence action for a water heater failure to proceed. The plaintiff had sued the manufacturer, distributor, and installer for negligence, strict product liability and breach of warranty for a gas-fired hot water heater fire.
