January 7, 2026 – A recent incident report details a Duraflame DFI-480-01 electric fireplace heater unit allegedly shooting sparks and frying its power cord shortly after being plugged in and turned on, raising serious fire and electrical safety concerns.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On December 15, 2025, an incident was reported involving a Duraflame DFI-480-01 electric fireplace heater. According to the consumer’s account, their daughter plugged in the unit and turned it on. Just a few minutes after activation, the unit reportedly began shooting sparks vigorously from its right side. The daughter, who was fortunately standing nearby, immediately recognized the danger and unplugged the unit. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the power cord had been severely damaged and “fried.” The consumer expressed profound relief that their daughter was present to react swiftly, stating that the incident could have potentially caused a house fire. At the time of the report, the consumer had contacted the manufacturer but had not yet received a response.
Safety Concerns
This incident with the Duraflame DFI-480-01 highlights several critical safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: The primary and most severe risk is fire. Electrical sparks can easily ignite nearby flammable materials such as carpets, curtains, furniture, or holiday decorations, leading to rapid and devastating house fires. Additionally, uncontrolled electrical arcing can cause electrical shock or severe burns to anyone in close proximity.
- Long-Term Risks: Even if an immediate fire is averted, an improperly functioning electrical appliance poses a continuous hazard. The internal damage that led to the sparking and fried cord could indicate a manufacturing defect or component failure that might recur or worsen, potentially leading to a more catastrophic event if the unit is used again or not properly addressed.
- Who Might Be Affected: Anyone operating the product, especially children or individuals who may not immediately recognize the signs of an electrical hazard, are at risk. The danger extends to all occupants of the home, including pets, due to the potential for fire and smoke inhalation.
- Property Damage Potential: Beyond personal injury, an electrical fire can result in extensive property damage, destroying homes, valuable possessions, and irreplaceable sentimental items.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Duraflame DFI-480-01 electric fireplace heater or a similar unit from the same manufacturer, please take the following steps:
- Immediate Steps: If you observe any sparking, smoking, burning smells, unusual noises, or discolored/fried cords coming from your electric heater, immediately unplug it from the power outlet if it is safe to do so. Do not attempt to use the unit again.
- Check Your Product: Locate the model number on your Duraflame unit, typically found on a label on the back or bottom of the appliance. Compare it to the DFI-480-01 model number mentioned in this report.
- Discontinue Use: If you own a Duraflame DFI-480-01 unit or any similar Duraflame electric heater exhibiting unusual symptoms, discontinue use immediately.
- Prevention Measures: Always ensure electric heaters are plugged directly into a wall outlet and not into extension cords or power strips, which can overheat. Keep combustible materials at least three feet away from all sides of the heater. Regularly inspect appliance cords for fraying or damage.
- Reporting Procedures: If you have experienced a similar incident or believe your Duraflame DFI-480-01 unit is defective, report it to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. This helps the agency track incidents and can contribute to potential recalls or safety alerts. You should also contact the manufacturer, TWIN STAR INTERNATIONAL INC, to report your experience.
Manufacturer’s Response
The manufacturer, TWIN STAR INTERNATIONAL INC, has acknowledged receipt of the incident report filed with the CPSC. However, the consumer indicated at the time of filing the report that they had not yet received a direct response from the company regarding their specific incident. Consumers with concerns about their Duraflame DFI-480-01 unit are encouraged to reach out to the manufacturer directly for assistance and further information.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.