A mother-of-three has described her distress after discovering her fridge freezer could prove deadly.

Christine Newsham, of Weall Green, Watford, is among hundreds of thousands of people left fearing for their safety after revelations that BEKO fridge freezers could pose a “serious fire risk”.

This follows in the wake of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) blaming a faulty BEKO fridge for a blaze in a 21-storey London tower block last week.

Initially, the fire was attributed to a lightning strike, but investigators later said it had started due to the faulty appliance.

Models manufactured between January 2000 and October 2006 are at the centre of the safety warning, and it is thought as many as 500,000 could be in use.

The LFB said the problem, stemming from a defrost timer switch, has caused 20 fires, 15 injuries and one death in London since 2008.

BEKO plc, based in Caxton Way, Watford, was notified of the fault issue in June last year.

Ms Newsham, an Avon representative and healthcare assistant, said if the dangers had not been uncovered in the news, she would have had no idea her family was at risk.

She said: “I have been in an absolute panic since finding out that the fridge could be dangerous.

“On Tuesday night I read about the problem and decided to check our family fridge.

“Sure enough the serial number matched the ones being called back.

“We’ve had that fridge freezer for six years, at no point did the retailer or BEKO contact us to say there was a fault.

“We initially bought the fridge on credit – you’d think the retailer would have our details on file. It’s a farce.”

According to Ms Newsham, on Wednesday morning, she spent hours calling the consumer giant’s emergency hotline, but could not get through.

The 29-year-old said: “I’ve got three children, aged 12 and under and we live with my partner in a small flat with only one exit.

“I’ve been beside myself with worry.

“I eventually managed to get through to BEKO, only to be told that an engineer would call in 24 hours.

“But in the meantime, what am I supposed to do? They’ve given me no advice.

"Should I turn the fridge off and spoil our food – I’ve got my 15-month-old’s milk in there.

“Or do I risk leaving it on? You’d think at the very least they would have more phone lines open to deal with this.”

In a statement, Gemma Oakes, BEKO plc representative, said that since becoming aware of the issue, the company has been working to identify the fault and the best method of reaching all affected consumers to arrange a modification.

BEKO plc also claims to have mailed more than 200,000 owners of faulty fridge freezers, and “successfully located and modified 11,000 units”.

But the company has failed to explain why, after being made aware of the danger posed by the fridge freezers last year, it has taken so long to act.

Since the story broke, BEKO was facing a huge backlash from buyers, with phonelines jammed and twitter awash with fears and complaints by worried customers.

Anyone whose BEKO frost free fridge freezer has a serial number beginning with: 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, should contact BEKO on: 0800 009 4837

Do you own a BEKO fridge freezer? Contact the news desk at: amulderrig@london.newsquest.co.uk