A Virginia homeowner sparked controversy online after sharing shocking footage showing their Samsung electric range was inadvertently turned on, sparking a fire.
Commenters were divided on whether the fault lies with the homeowner, Samsung, or both.
Here's what to know
Writing on the r/appliances subreddit, the original poster shared video footage of a person accidentally brushing up against the range's control knobs, unwittingly turning on one of the burners in the process. (If you can't see the video, click here.)
According to the post, the OP's concern was not that the burner "turned on by itself," but "how easily incidental contact with a front-mounted control can activate a burner without someone intending to turn it on."
They further explained that the Samsung range in question was among the models covered by a 2024 recall. The recall was due to the potential for accidental contact with the appliance's front knobs, creating a fire hazard.
The poster said Samsung's recall remedy was to provide knob covers, but that those covers "didn't even fit" on their range.
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After the fire, the homeowner said they provided Samsung with footage, photos, receipts, inspection information, and other supporting material, but the company denied the claim, saying the knobs were "functioning as designed."
They also said Samsung later told them in writing that the claim had been escalated, but no final response came despite repeated follow-ups and even attempts to contact the company's executive leadership.
Commenters were divided, with some expressing sympathy for the OP and others saying the OP bears primary responsibility for starting the fire.
Some blamed the homeowner for leaving combustible materials on top of the stove. The video appeared to show a crockpot sitting on top of the burners at the time of the incident.
"Nothing should be stored on top of a stove!" exclaimed one commenter. "That's user error."
Others argued that safer knob designs already exist, and Samsung was at fault for not incorporating such simple safety measures into its designs.
"On my mom's similar, different brand, stove, you actually have to push the knob in to be able to turn it," said one Redditor. "It doesn't just turn on if you brush against it."
What's being done?
According to the Reddit post, Samsung had already supplied knob covers under the recall before the fire occurred. However, the OP described the fix as impractical.
For their part, the OP said that they also had reported the incident to regulatory authorities, including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Virginia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section, and the Better Business Bureau.
As for the homeowner's culpability, the OP asserted that they were simply sharing the evidence and allowing people to decide which party was primarily at fault.
"I'm not asking anyone to take my word for what happened," the OP wrote. "The contact is visible in the video. I'm sharing the footage so people can see exactly what occurred and reach their own conclusions."
Where can I learn more?
These articles look at Samsung stove recalls, disputed recall fixes, and other appliance defects tied to fire risks.
• Samsung recalled 1.1 million stoves after front knobs were blamed for hundreds of fires.
• Samsung homeowners called the company's plastic recall covers ineffective after dangerous ranges stayed in kitchens.
• A lawsuit says Samsung knew of corrosion problems in washing machines years before failures.
• Consumers filed countless complaints alleging Samsung's defective refrigerator parts caused persistent breakdowns and food spoilage.
• Best Buy warned Insignia gas range knobs could be switched on by people or pets.
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