Fire Hazard: IBM Recalling 56,000 Computer Monitors

WASHINGTON (AP) -- IBM is recalling about 56,000 computer monitors that can overheat and smoke, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

The Armonk, N.Y., company has received five reports of monitors overheating and smoking, including one report of property damage, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday. No injuries have been reported.

The recalled monitors include the G51 CRT and G51t Touch Screen CRT models bearing model numbers 6541-02N, 6541-02E, 6541-02S, 6541-Q0N, 6541-Q0E and 6541-Q0S. IBM, MicroTouch Systems and major retail stores sold the monitors nationwide from June 1997 to September 1997 for about $370.

The goverment urged consumers to stop using the monitors immediately and contact the the IBM Repair Center at 1-866-644-3155 for a free inspection and repair or replacement.