Blair Chenille Robe Fires Lead to Expanded Recall for Jackets and Tops

A chenille robe recall issued earlier this year has been expanded to include 138,000 women’s chenille tops, jackets and full-length robes, due to continuing reports of the garments catching on fire and causing at least nine deaths.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a release on Thursday notifying consumers that previous recalls issued by Blair LLC in April and June 2009 have been expanded after reports of four additional deaths that occurred when their chenille robes caught fire and at least one report involving another type of garmet made with the same material.

Most of the chenille robe fires have occurred while the victim was cooking or near a flame, usually involving elderly women. The CPSC has said that the products fail to meet federal flammability standards.

The initial recall was issued on April 24, 2009 for 162,000 chenille robes after reports of severe burns and fires. Following additional reports problems with the robes, including several deaths, the robe recall was re-announced on June 11, 2009.

The expanded chenille recall issued October 22, 2009, which now includes all women’s chenille clothing sold by the company, including women’s chenille jackets, women’s chenille lounge jackets, and women’s chenille tops. All of the items are made of plush sculpted chenille, with a label that says “100% Cotton, RN81700, Made in Pakistan.”

The jackets are described as one-piece garments of plush sculpted chenille with three front buttons, pointed lapels, long sleeves and two front patch pockets. They come in gold, red, navy and hunter green, and were sold as item numbers 1392801, 1392802, 1392803, and 1392804.

The lounge jackets are described as one-piece garments of plush sculpted chenille with a shaped stand collar, horizontal chenille front and back yolks and cuffs, and a full-button front with five matching button closures. The lounge jacket has long sleeves with self cuffs, a straight bottom with self hem, and two side seam pockets. The lounge jacket comes in lavender, aqua and light pink and were sold as item numbers 4526401, 4526402 and 4526403.

The women’s chenille tops are also one-piece garments of plush sculpted chenille, and are pullovers with a rounded neckline, long sleeves, a straight bottom with side vents, and ribbed binding at the neckline and cuffs. The tops were sold in light purple, rose, dusty blue and sage green and were sold as item numbers 1811201, 18111202, 1811203, and 1811204.

All of the recalled items were manufactured in Pakistan by A-One Textile & Towel. The recalled clothing was sold in Blair Catalogs and from the company’s website and Blair stores in Warren and Grove City, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware, from July 2000 through April 2007.

The CPSC urges consumers who have the garments to stop wearing them immediately and contact Blair LLC for information on how to receive a full refund or a $50 gift card.