Microwave Caught Our Home on Fire Last Night!

I would start by calling the fire department to report it. They can come out and do a report to document what happened. They probably can tell you if the problem was really the microwave or if there was something with the wiring that caused the problem instead of the microwave itself.

Take pictures of the microwave and the space where it was just in case you ever need them.

I would definitely contact GE to report it as well. A good company wants to know if there's a problem with something they make so they can fix it. I would think that if the fault was really with the machine they would at least want to replace it. You never know unless you try.

6 moms found this helpful

SAVE IT!!!

Call the fire department NON-EMERGENCY number and ask them to come out - i would've done this last night!!! You never know if the fire had gotten in the walls!!!

Can't tell you about Big Brother - don't watch it.

I would call my insurance company and let them know what happened. Get an electrician out there PRONTO to ensure that the wiring is not defective or the electrical panel has damage...you would be surprised what a spike in the wire can do!!!

I'm glad you are safe and that no one was hurt...please call the fire department, insurance company and electrician!! I would also call GE and let them know....give them the part/model number, etc.

5 moms found this helpful

9 years is a good run for a micro wave.
I tried cooking a garlic clove in one one time and that sucker caught on fire within a few minutes. I dont do garlic in the microwave anymore.
You either had a faulty popcorn bag or it was just time for the oven to go to heaven. The manufacturer could probably care less about it catching on fire since it's 9 yrs old. If it was a new one it would be a different story.
I'm sure the adrenaline rush you went through saving your home was pretty exciting tho =) Good Job!

4 moms found this helpful

Wow! Fast acting Mama! Might I make a suggestion? You might have someone check that outlet, just incase it had a power surge, which might have made the microwave explode. It might even be a circuit breaker issue. You sure don't want something else doing that! Maybe the local Fire Department?

4 moms found this helpful

OMG!! I'm so glad you're okay, the house is okay, everyone's okay!! Time for a new microwave, store bought bagged popcorn, and DVRed Big brother ;)

I have that luck with vacuums. I've managed to have 3 of them self combust on me... one had a battery charger and didn't have to be plugged in... when that one caught flames, it wouldn't turn off!!!!! Stupid things!

And no thank you, I would not like some burnt popcorn, but my son might ;)

2 moms found this helpful

Wow - SO glad you are alright. My mom's microwave stopped working. I'm going to tell her to unplug it straight away...

Nine years is a long time - it is old now. Complaining won't do any good, but complain away if it will make you feel better!

You do indeed have a guardian angel...

Oh, and do call the electrician to have your outlet checked. THAT's very important. I don't know about calling the insurance company... that might get your premiums jacked up. I like someone's suggestion about the fire department. They have a device that they use to search for heat in your walls. And that won't cost you anything.

D.

2 moms found this helpful

No don't throw it out and I would get pictures. Call Homeowners Insurance about damage to wall. Call Fire Department and ask if someone could take a look. Contact GE and let them know what happened. This was scarey and potentially very dangerous. You were lucky -although frightening it could have been worse. Since I cannot see the damage I do not know if you have any sort of a claim but as a person you might be preventing others from going through this. How scarey. So glad you are alright.

1 mom found this helpful

Most of the homes in our neighborhood have GE Profile from the builder and most of us have already switched out to something else.

The GE Profile sucks. There have been fires due to the oven.

I'd call GE anc have an electrician check the outlet to make sure it is good.

I am glad you were there and caught it in time. That is very scary. My oven caught fire..

MOST ALL Over the Range Microwaves end up on RECALL!!! YES recall!! Most of them!! My husband repairs them for a BIG national service company. you know the one. and LOTS of them catch on fire! they are NOT a good product to have in your home!! ANYONE! & did you know that your Dryer is the #1 cause of house fire! its true! DONT EVER LEAVE YOUR HOUSE WITH THE DRYER Running!
so YES, you need to call GE, and tell them your Model and serial # to report the fire!! & they will totally give you a voucher to buy another GE product, which if your getting another OTR micro, 90% are made by GE anyhow.
GOOD LUCK, and TY GOD your all safe!!

Also buy a fire extinguisher since you may need it in the future. You are very lucky!!!

You are very blessed!! I'd save microwave and try to get something from the company, they should at least replace it!

My husband caught the kitchen on fire with oil on the stove. It took 3 months to get it all repainted and replaced - nightmare. And we were lucky the whole house didn't get burned down, he was about 2 min away from that happening!

definitely save it. You can have the fire dept investigate and if they find a defect in the machine, you can report it to CPSC.org for possible recall notice.

I know you already posted the "So What Happened", but I have a suggestion that hasn't been posted yet.

We had a house fire in January, it was caused by our dishwasher right at the end of the heat cycle. Our house was a mess and we lost almost all of our possessions. Our insurance company has been wonderful. Because our home is older it is out of date and out of code. All of the upgrades to our electrical and plumbing systems, and structural issues were covered by insurance money.

If your fire was triggered by a power surge from the outlet, then your home owners insurance should cover the cost to upgrade and replace the wiring. Depending on where you live (which state) code most likely dictates that your microwave should be run on an independent line that runs straight to the box, not one that is in a circuit with other appliances.

If it is not an independent line, then your insurance policy may be able to cover the fix and any repairs needed to your home.

Make sure you take photos, contact your fire department and your home owners insurance.

You are so lucky, great job saving your home and your son's dignity. Imagine how he would have felt having to run across the lawn in a towel. LOL!

-C. J.

You can call them - they might send you a coupon towards a new one.

Glad you're ok. That's the most important thing.