An urgent warning has been issued nationwide about a kitchen blender that sparked a fatal blaze in London. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute has issued a nationwide warning after the death of a man in a fire in Haringey, which London Fire Brigade believe was caused by a faulty blender.
Islington Trading Standards officers believe that as many as 650 of the ‘Boxo Blend’ blenders may still be in use, having been sold or given away by Boxo Blend Ltd since 2020.
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That company was set up from a virtual office address in Islington, and straight after the fatal fire, the council there suspended the sale of the gadgets awaiting fire safety tests on the machines. An expert found the blenders, imported from China, did not comply with electrical equipment safety regulations due to voltage issues and a lack of thermal protection, and they were deemed a fire risk.
The blenders are white, black, pink or blue on the top and bottom with a transparent blending chamber. The ‘Boxo Blend’ logo is featured at the bottom of the product underneath the power button. Anyone who has one of the blenders should dispose of it safely - you can’t get a refund because the company that imported them doesn’t exist anymore.
The fire happened where the blenders were being stored, and as well as the death of a man in the blaze, 150 were destroyed too. A council investigation found that at least 1,875 blenders were imported from China and more than 650 have been sold or given away. Almost 1,000 that were untouched by the fire were seized by the council.
Islington Council prosecuted one of the men who ran the company that imported the blenders, and Bashiru Anthony Blenman pleaded guilty to two offences under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 - one for having the unsafe blender for supply and another of not informing the council where the other blenders were when required to do so.
Blenman was given 12 weeks in prison, suspended for a year, made to do 150 hours of unpaid community work, and asked to make a contribution of £700.
“We’re committed to keeping people safe, and will take robust action to help protect the public,” said Cllr John Woolf, the council’s community safety boss.
“If you think you might have one of these unsafe ‘Boxo Blend’ blenders please check now, don’t use the device and dispose of it safely. You can contact your local authority if you want advice on how to dispose of electrical items. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to return the device to the supplier, Boxo Blend Ltd, as the company is no longer trading and has been dissolved.
“This incredibly tragic case, which occurred in our neighbouring borough, highlights how important it is for all businesses, however small, to fulfil their legal responsibility to make sure any products they import are tested and meet UK safety regulations. We remain forever vigilant, and we will investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute to help protect the public.”
John Herriman, chief executive of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, added: “This case highlights the importance of product safety and is a stark reminder that dangerous products can kill. Businesses that import and sell goods in the UK have a responsibility to ensure products comply with the law, and they should be aware of the tragic consequences of cutting corners, as well as the severe penalties they face if they fail to take these responsibilities seriously.
“This case also demonstrates how Trading Standards teams play a vital role in keeping the public safe – the actions of Islington Trading Standards undoubtedly prevented further loss of life, and it is important that Trading Standards and Legal services are properly resourced so this type of important work can continue,” he added.
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