December 17, 2025 – An incident report details a Heat n Glo Escape i35 DV Gas Fireplace spontaneously turning itself on, leading to a dangerous situation where a cover placed on the unit began to smoke and emit fumes. The incident, which occurred late at night, prompted the consumer to discover numerous similar reports online, raising significant safety concerns about the product. The manufacturer, HEARTH AND HOME TECHNOLOGIES INC., has stated it is working with its dealer network to address the customer’s issue.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The consumer reported owning a Heat n Glo Escape i35 DV Gas Fireplace that has a history of turning itself on randomly. Several months prior to the most recent incident, the fireplace activated unexpectedly in the middle of the night, which the owner initially dismissed as a possible user error.
However, a more severe incident occurred recently when the consumer had placed a cover on the fireplace to prevent drafts during the winter. Late at night, the fireplace once again turned itself on without any manual intervention. This unexpected activation caused the cover to begin smoking, releasing both smoke and fumes into the living space. The smoke and fumes were strong enough to awaken the occupants of the home. Following this alarming event, the consumer investigated online and found multiple reports from other users describing similar instances of the fireplace reigniting spontaneously. The consumer has labeled the product as dangerous and called for a recall.
Safety Concerns
The spontaneous activation of a gas fireplace, as reported with the Heat N Glo ESCAPE-35LP-IFT, presents a range of serious safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers:
* Fire Hazard: The primary and most immediate risk is a fire. If combustible materials, such as a fireplace cover, are placed on or near the unit, spontaneous activation can cause them to ignite, leading to a house fire.
* Smoke Inhalation and Fumes: The burning of foreign materials, as experienced by the consumer with the smoking cover, generates smoke and potentially toxic fumes. Inhalation of these can cause respiratory distress, disorientation, and can be particularly dangerous when individuals are asleep, as they may not wake up until significant exposure has occurred.
* Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: While not explicitly mentioned in this report, any malfunction involving a gas appliance has the potential to cause incomplete combustion or improper venting, leading to the release of colorless, odorless, and highly toxic carbon monoxide (CO) gas. CO poisoning can be fatal.
* Burns: Unsuspecting individuals, particularly children or pets, could suffer severe burns if they come into contact with a fireplace that has unexpectedly turned on and heated up.
- Long-Term Risks: Repeated incidents of unexpected activation could lead to structural damage from sustained heat or minor fires. The psychological impact of living with a potentially dangerous and unpredictable appliance can also be significant.
- Who Might Be Affected: Homeowners, children, elderly individuals, and pets are all at risk. The danger is heightened during sleeping hours when occupants are less vigilant.
- Property Damage Potential: Beyond the immediate risk to life, a fire caused by a malfunctioning fireplace can result in extensive damage to the home’s structure, contents, and personal belongings. Smoke damage alone can be costly and difficult to remediate.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Heat N Glo ESCAPE-35LP-IFT or a Heat n Glo Escape i35 DV Gas Fireplace, especially if you have experienced similar issues, please take the following actions:
- Immediate Steps to Take:
* If your fireplace turns on unexpectedly, immediately attempt to turn it off using the main controls.
* If safe to do so, locate and shut off the main gas supply valve to the fireplace.
* Do NOT place any combustible materials, such as covers, on or near the fireplace.
* Do NOT attempt to diagnose or fix the problem yourself.
* Contact a qualified HVAC technician or the manufacturer’s authorized service provider immediately to inspect the unit.
* If you detect smoke or gas odors, evacuate the premises and contact your local fire department.
- How to Check if You Own the Affected Product:
* Locate the owner’s manual or a rating plate on your fireplace (often found behind the lower access panel) to verify the brand and model number (Heat N Glo ESCAPE-35LP-IFT or Escape i35 DV Gas Fireplace).
- Prevention Measures:
* Ensure you have working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home, especially near bedrooms. Test them regularly.
* Never leave a fireplace unattended if you suspect it is malfunctioning.
* Regularly service your gas fireplace by a certified technician.
- Reporting Procedures:
* Report any incidents of spontaneous activation or other malfunctions to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov.
* Contact HEARTH AND HOME TECHNOLOGIES INC. directly to report your issue and seek assistance.
Manufacturer’s Response
On December 17, 2025, HEARTH AND HOME TECHNOLOGIES INC. provided a response indicating that they “are working with the dealer network to resolve the customer’s issue.”
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.