A local couple says they're very concerned about an explosion that shattered the glass in their oven. Local 12 Troubleshooter Howard Ain says no one got hurt, but they fear it could be a safety issue for others.
Greg and Rebecca Clark of Brooksville, Kentucky bought their existing house just two months ago. Everything was fine until a recent problem with the four-year-old stove in the kitchen. "I was getting ready to get ready for church and as I walked past the stove it just exploded."
Clark says the stove had been turned off 20 minutes prior to the explosion. "It didn't crack, it didn't snap, it didn't do anything-it just exploded. The glass covered the kitchen, was in here to the dining room, went to the basement, hallway, living room and even made it up the steps."
Their one year old son Ethan often played right next to the stove. Fortunately he wasn't there at the time-- and no one was hurt.
The Clarks called Sears but--"They said since there is no recall and no extended warranty because obviously the appliances were here that they were not going to be able to do anything for us. Finally said if I did want someone to come out I would have to pay $129 for them to come out to determine if there was a defect on our oven and I refused."
The Clarks found internet postings of similar oven glass explosions -- several involving the Kenmore model 790 just like theirs. "Our major concern is the safety issue. We just want them to acknowledge that there is a problem and we were very fortunate and blessed that no one was injured. We're just trying to prevent a future instance occurring."
Howard says Sears sent her complaint to Electrolux, maker of the stove, and following an inspection, the Clarks have been notified they will get a new stove.
Just what caused the explosion is uncertain. Sears tells me it's looking into it. A local repairman says sometimes there's a flaw in the glass or screws were put in too tightly causing the glass to weaken.
But the big thing, he says, is the use of tempered glass so when it breaks it does so in small pieces rather than large shards that can cause serious injury.
