Hoverboard fire lawsuit against Amazon can move forward

July 9, 2019 at 2:04 p.m. | Updated July 9, 2019 at 2:04 p.m.

by Associated Press

FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 file photo, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver B.J. Daniels rides a hoverboard as he arrives for an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, in Seattle. Amazon is warning British customers that their hoverboards may be unsafe, the latest in a string of warnings about the popular scooters. Amazon says some of the boards it sold are unsafe because they have “a non-compliant U.K. plug" and should be disposed of at a recycling center. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
FILE - In this Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015 file photo, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver B.J. Daniels rides a hoverboard as he arrives for an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, in Seattle. Amazon is warning British customers that their hoverboards may be unsafe, the latest in a string of warnings about the popular scooters. Amazon says some of the boards it sold are unsafe because they have “a non-compliant U.K. plug" and should be disposed of at a recycling center. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A Tennessee family's lawsuit against online retailer Amazon over a hoverboard fire that destroyed their home can move forward.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a Friday ruling said Amazon was aware of complaints about hoverboards catching fire and exploding. The Seattle-based company even launched an investigation that led to its ceasing all hoverboard sales worldwide.

But Amazon's notice to consumers consisted of an email saying there had been "reports of safety issues."

Megan and Charles Fox say their son had left his hoverboard downstairs in their home when it caught fire in January 2016. The fire trapped two of the children upstairs and they had to jump from second floor windows to escape. Their home was destroyed along with all of their possessions.

Upcoming Events