Faulty heater damage help 17 March at 8:43PM in Consumer rights 6 replies 267 views

calvr1ch

We had a new summerhouse built in August 2021. We fitted it out like an extra living room with settee, tv etc. We purchased a new electric log burner effect heater for it too. In December 2022 we noticed that the separate fuse board for the summerhouse had tripped. When I went down to see what had tripped it I was welcomed by a cloud of smoke and a smouldering heater that had caused a small fire. Everything in the summerhouse had either been fire or smoke damaged. I have been in contact with the manufacturer who asked for the heater for inspection. There was hardly anything left of it but I sent what was left. They have inspected it and said they cannot determine a root cause of failure and have now passed it on to their insurance company. The insurance company have said that it is now upto me to prove that it was a faulty heater and told me to contact a solicitor.

My question is does anyone know any solicitors that specialise in this as I can only find Solicitors that look at Injury caused by faulty products as this is just property damage. 

Unfortunately our outhouses weren’t covered under our home insurance (they are now). However I do have legal cover so should I use this?

Any advice would be great.

user1977

Yes, this is the sort of thing your legal cover is for. It doesn't need a particularly specialist solicitor. Your difficulty may of course be getting your own expert evidence if you no longer have the heater...

Flight3287462

Who installed your electrics and were they certified and were the electrics up to the correct standard for running an electrical heater of whatever power output?

macman

Did you leave the fire on unattended in the summer house?

calvr1ch

Flight3287462 said:

Who installed your electrics and were they certified and were the electrics up to the correct standard for running an electrical heater of whatever power output?

Yes we had them installed on a separate fuse board with all the tests and certs.

calvr1ch

user1977 said:

Yes, this is the sort of thing your legal cover is for. It doesn't need a particularly specialist solicitor. Your difficulty may of course be getting your own expert evidence if you no longer have the heater...

The manufacturer have offers to return the heater so I can get it inspected myself.

calvr1ch

macman said:

Did you leave the fire on unattended in the summer house?

No it had been switched off on the unit itself, although it was still plugged into the wall socket.