Dell Inc., the world's largest personal computer maker, said on Monday that it will recall 4.1 million notebook computer batteries, amid concerns of potential fire hazards resulting from overheating, and it will be the largest recall in Dell's history.

"In rare cases, a short-circuit could cause the battery to overheat, causing a risk of smoke or even fire,"said Dell spokesman Ira Williams. "It happens in rare cases, but we opted to take this broad action immediately."

Williams said the lithium-ion batteries were made by Sony Corp. and placed in an assortment of notebooks, namely, certain models of Latitude, Inspiron and XTS, which were sold from April 2004 to July 2006.

Dell has received six reports of batteries overheating, causing damage to furniture and personal belongings, but no injuries, said the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, while issuing the recall in cooperation with Dell.

But another Dell spokesman, Jess Blackburn, also said that the recall would have no "material impact" on the company.

Just two weeks ago, Dell confirmed that one of its laptops caught fire in Illinois, and the owner dunked it in water to douse the flames. Other recent reports have surfaced from as far away as Japan and Singapore.

Dell planned to launch a website by Monday night to address the problem in affected models and to explain how consumers can get hold of replacement batteries.

Source: Xinhua