Some Portable Generators May Pose Fire Hazard, Safety Panel Says

Gasoline tanks used on about 295,000 portable generators may be faulty, posing a fire hazard, federal regulators said Thursday.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and DeVibliss Air Power Co. of Jackson, Tenn., are investigating whether the fuel tanks on the generators may crack where the tanks mount on the frame, posing a fire hazard.

Officials warn that consumers should not put more than three gallons of gasoline in the fuel tanks at one time until the results of the investigation are announced.

The generators affected are the DeVibliss Air Power Co. EX-CELL, PowerBack, Companion Model 919-32721 and Craftsman Model 919-32651. The seven-gallon tanks affected bear dates before June 1, 1999, and were sold nationwide between February 1996 and June 1, 1999.

The date is on the serial bar code label found on one of the gas tank support rails and on the shipping carton label.

Any consumer who has seen leakage from the tank should contact the DeVibliss Co. at (800) 888-2468, ext. 21, or on the Internet at https://www.devap.com to obtain a free warranty replacement tank. Consumers can also contact CPSC at (800) 638-2772.