17 April 2007: In the hot seat

Japanese toilet-maker Toto is known for its high-tech toilets, with features such as air purification, bidets that blow-dry and seat-warming functions.

But it has been forced to apologise to its customers after twenty-six of its toilets started smoking, and three more caught on fire.

Toto said no people were injured as a result of the problems, which were caused by friction inside the mechanism. It is offering all its customers a free inspection.

Of the Toilet, that is ...