A New Jersey couple last week sued the Kellogg Co. for $100,000 over a house fire that was caused by a flaming Pop-Tart.
Brenda J. Hurff put a cherry Pop-Tart in the toaster and then left the house to drive her children to preschool, according to the Hurffs attorney, Mauro C. Casci. The lawsuit was filed last week.
When she return 10 to 20 minutes later, smoke was pouring from the house an firefighters were on the scene, according to Casci.
"She had put it in the toaster and appearantly forgot about it" Casci said. "I never thought a Pop-Tart could turn into a blowtorch."
Asked whether the preserve filled pastry stuck in the toaster: "Did it pop, did it not pop?" Casci said Friday."Who knows?"
The suit also names Black & Decker, the maker of the pop-up toaster. A company spokesman said there would be no comment until this week.
**** Lovell, a spokesman for the Battle Creek Michigan cereal maker, would not comment on the case except to say:"Pop-Tarts are safe and do not cuase fires."
Pop-Tarts have an advisory on the box, warning customers not to "leave the toaster appliance unattended dur to the possible risk of fire."
Actual Directions from POP TART BOX (this is their formatting included)
Toasting instructions
1)Set toasting appliance (toaster or toaster oven) at LOWEST of LIGHTEST heat setting. Remov pastry from pouch.
2)Insert pastry vertically into cool toasting appliance.
3) ATTEND TOASTING APPLIANCE WHILE HEATING> DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO OPERATE TOASTING APPLICANCE WITHOUT SUPERVISION.*
4) After warming pastry, allow to cool briefly. REMOVE CAREFULLY from toasting appliance.
....(Microwave instructions not included as not germaine to this case)...
*CAUTION: If pastry is overheated, frosting filling can become extremely hot and could casue burns. Do not leave toasting appliance unattended due to possible risk of fire.
