December 17, 2025 – A consumer incident report details a concerning event where an unopened “spin light” product, sold under the Commercial Electrics brand, spontaneously ignited and caught fire while still in its packaging. The incident raises serious questions about product safety and the potential for unattended fire hazards.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The incident occurred on the evening of November 21, 2025. According to the consumer report, a “spin light” manufactured by Commercial Electrics was purchased from Home Depot approximately six months prior. The product, intended for an interior stairwell, had remained in its original, unopened box, awaiting installation. It was stored on a wooden table on a covered back porch.
After dinner on the night of the incident, the homeowner discovered the product box smoking. The smoke quickly escalated, and the box, along with the light fixture inside, rapidly caught fire. Reacting swiftly, the homeowner threw the flaming product into the yard, where it continued to burn completely. Photographs were taken of the burning item.
The consumer reported being “stunned at what we were seeing” and highlighted the severe risk posed by the incident. The product was sitting on a wooden table, which was scorched but not destroyed. The homeowner emphasized the extreme good fortune in catching the fire when they did, noting that had it occurred later that night (around bedtime), it “would have burned our log home to the ground.” The close proximity to combustible materials (table, railing, deck) made the potential for a catastrophic house fire very real. The item was eventually extinguished in a bucket of water.
Safety Concerns
This incident presents significant safety concerns for consumers:
- Spontaneous Ignition Risk: The primary concern is the product’s ability to ignite spontaneously while still new, unopened, and unpowered. This suggests a potential internal defect, electrical short, or battery issue that could lead to thermal runaway or combustion without external triggers.
- Unattended Fire Hazard: Products that can self-ignite pose an extreme risk, especially if stored in residential areas, garages, or basements where they might be near flammable materials or left unattended for extended periods.
- Property Damage Potential: As evidenced by the scorched table and the consumer’s testimony, such an incident can quickly lead to widespread property damage, including structural fires, personal belongings, and potentially the total loss of a home. The risk is amplified when the product is stored near highly combustible materials, as was the case with the wooden table and log home.
- Injury and Loss of Life: While this incident fortunately resulted in no personal injuries, an uncontained house fire presents a direct threat to the lives of residents and first responders.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Commercial Electrics “spin light” or a similar product purchased from Home Depot, particularly one that has not yet been installed, please take the following precautions:
1. Do Not Install: If you have an uninstalled “spin light” of this brand, do not proceed with installation.
2. Inspect and Isolate: Carefully inspect the product and its packaging for any signs of heat, swelling, deformation, unusual odors, or damage.
3. Store Safely: If you possess one of these products, particularly if it’s new and uninstalled, store it in a non-combustible container, away from flammable materials, and in a location where any potential fire could be contained. Avoid storing it inside your living space or near anything that could easily ignite.
4. Monitor Installed Units: If you have already installed a Commercial Electrics “spin light,” be vigilant for any unusual smells (like burning plastic or chemicals), smoke, or excessive heat emanating from the fixture. If any of these signs appear, immediately disconnect power to the fixture if safe to do so and contact a qualified electrician.
5. Report Incidents: It is crucial to report any similar incidents, or concerns, to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov.
6. Contact Retailer/Manufacturer: Reach out to The Home Depot’s customer service to inquire about returning the product or for further safety guidance.
Manufacturer’s Response
As of December 4, 2025, there has been no formal response from “Commercial Electrics” regarding this incident.
The Home Depot, however, has provided a response, stating: “Home Depot takes product safety issues very seriously. This customer has been in contact with our Customer Care Team.”
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.