December 10, 2025 – A recent incident report details a frightening malfunction involving a Holmes HWH2605 electric radiator, which allegedly shot flaming oil and smoke throughout a consumer’s home. The incident reportedly caused significant property damage, including burned hardwood floors and harm to priceless family heirlooms, and posed a severe threat to the occupants’ lives.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On November 24, 2025, an alarming incident occurred involving a Holmes HWH2605 electric radiator purchased from Walmart. According to the consumer’s report, the electric radiator suddenly malfunctioned, expelling flaming oil and dense smoke that rapidly spread throughout their residence. The report states that the incident nearly resulted in fatalities, emphasizing the extreme danger faced by those present in the home. The fire and smoke caused extensive damage, including burning the home’s hardwood floors and damaging priceless family heirlooms and antiques with smoke and soot. The full extent of the structural and personal property damage is still being assessed, but the immediate impact on the home and its occupants was severe and life-threatening.
Safety Concerns
The reported incident with the Holmes HWH2605 electric radiator highlights several critical safety concerns:
- Immediate Dangers: The primary immediate danger is fire, which can spread rapidly, causing severe burns, smoke inhalation injuries, and potentially leading to death. Flaming oil is particularly hazardous as it can intensify fires and be difficult to extinguish. The presence of dense smoke also poses a significant threat of suffocation and acute respiratory distress.
- Long-Term Risks: Beyond immediate injury, survivors may suffer long-term health issues from smoke exposure, including chronic respiratory problems. The extensive property damage, as described, indicates potential structural compromise to the home, requiring costly repairs or even full demolition. The loss of “priceless family heirlooms and antiques” represents an irreplaceable loss of personal history and sentimental value, causing significant emotional distress.
- Who Might Be Affected: This type of incident directly threatens anyone in the immediate vicinity of the malfunctioning product, including residents, children, pets, and even emergency responders. The rapid spread of fire and smoke can quickly engulf an entire dwelling, affecting anyone inside.
- Property Damage Potential: Electric radiator malfunctions involving flaming oil have a high potential for catastrophic property damage. Hardwood floors, walls, ceilings, furniture, and personal belongings can be destroyed by fire, smoke, and water used for firefighting. The smoke damage alone can permeate porous materials, leaving a lasting odor and requiring extensive cleaning or replacement of items.
What Consumers Should Do
Given the serious nature of this reported incident, consumers who own electric radiators, especially the Holmes HWH2605 model, should take immediate precautions:
- Immediate Steps to Take: If an electric radiator begins to spark, emit smoke, or show any signs of malfunction, immediately unplug it if safe to do so. If fire erupts, evacuate the premises immediately and call 911. Do NOT attempt to extinguish an electrical fire with water, as this can worsen the situation or cause electrocution.
- How to Check if You Own the Affected Product: Check the product label, typically located on the back or bottom of the radiator, for the brand “Holmes” and the model number “HWH2605.”
- Prevention Measures: Always operate electric heaters on a flat, stable surface. Keep all combustible materials (curtains, bedding, furniture, paper) at least three feet away from the heater. Never leave an operating portable heater unattended, especially overnight or when leaving the house. Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet; avoid using extension cords or power strips, which can overheat. Regularly inspect the heater for any signs of damage, such as frayed cords or unusual noises.
- Reporting Procedures: If you experience a similar incident or believe your product is defective, report it immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. You should also contact the product manufacturer directly to report the issue.
Manufacturer’s Response
As of the date of this post, the manufacturer’s response to this specific incident report is unknown.
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.