The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said Wednesday that it has received 54 reports of fires related to electric stoves manufactured by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
Matsushita said the 54 fires were apparently caused by the accidental activation of the stoves' start knob, which also controls heat levels, causing materials on or near the stoves to catch fire.
Matsushita has been repairing the electric stoves free of charge, attaching a protective covering over the exposed knob to prevent its accidental activation.
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