Bosch: half a million 'dangerous' dishwashers still in use despite fire risks The company told ITV News that there had been almost 270 fires caused by the fault - 14 deemed "serious" - involving dishwashers manufactured between 1999 and 2005. While company executives admitted that the number of fires was "too many," they dismissed wider concerns, arguing it was a "very low percentage" out of the current batch. Experts told the programme that the figures illustrated how Britain's product alert system was failing to work. Fire authorities urged caution in using the dishwashers Photo: Dorset Fire and Rescue Service A range of manufacturers, consumer groups and safety authorities are now demanding change. Fire authorities urged caution in using the dishwashers. A spokesman for Bosch was unavailable for comment tonight. But in an interview with ITV News, Joe O'Sullivan, Bosch's operations director, claimed the fire "risk is very low." He urged customers worried about their appliances to visit the company's website.