Appliances, Oil-Filled Heaters, Lakewood Engineering of Chicago : heater exploded, causing smoke and hot oil, gases to exit unit

Complaints.com received the following e-message on June 1, 2001:

From: Bender [Email User]

Electric Oil Filled Heater

Suggested category as mine exploded at a seam while on and spued out smoke and hot oil and noxious gases.The smoke alone would have killed the family very quickly because the pressure was forcefully sending out the hot smelly smoke. It is a totally enclosed, sealed unit.Brand name -Celebrity-I do not think they make the same brand name, but similar looking product is still being sold i.e. by Canadian Tire in Canada.

Name of company that manufactured it - Lakewood Engineering of Chicago

Thought people should know about this because in Canada their does not seem to be any organization to register anything with(unit was approved by Canadian Standards Association).

People should know this product is dangerous.

I am in process of sending unit down to manufacturer, but wonder if this can be reported anywhere else so more people are aware of possible problem.

Thanks for your help.

Loretto Bender