UPDATE from Rowenta: I sent an email to Rowenta customer service and received a call back. They have sent me a UPS shipping label to return the defective iron and are sending me another iron. "They are unaware of any problems with irons catching fire." I appreciate that they are willing to replace the iron 5 years out of warranty, but the safety factor concerns me. From my limited research on the Web, it doesn't seem to be any specific model. It seems to be a design problem with the base where the cord attaches. I wonder if the leaky water tanks are shorting out the cords? I appreciate the anecdotal information that backs up my experience, but I think further action is required. I am just not sure what that should be. I will report this to the Consumer Product Safety.