THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, August 13, 1994              TAG: 9408130291
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                         LENGTH: Short :   45 lines

LARGEST CLOTHING RECALL ORDERED THE GAUZY SKIRTS MADE IN INDIA EASILY CATCH FIRE. THEY HAVE BEEN SOLD FOR YEARS.

The government announced the largest clothing recall ever Friday, a quarter-million rayon skirts made in India that can be set on fire with a cigarette and burn faster than a newspaper.

``Consumers must stop wearing these skirts,'' said Ann Brown, chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which ordered a stop to all sales and a recall.

So far, she said, there have been no deaths or injuries, even though the skirts have been imported for two to three years.

CPSC said it has contacted stores to take the skirts off the shelves.

The commission named 18 major retailers cooperating in the recall but said many other stores had carried the skirts:

Abraham & Strauss Basement; Ames Ladies Wear; Annie Sez; Bealls Outlet Stores; Burlington Coat Factory; Cost Plus; Dayton's; Filene's Basement; Gantos; Hudson's; Jean Nicole; Loehmann's; Marianne; Marshalls; Marshall Field's; One Price; Ross and T.J. Maxx.

Some, but not all, of the garments have these brand labels:

2 Kool Look; Ann Simone; Carla Freeman; Casual Designs by RAVIA; Exclusif; Fbi; Founded 1976 D II K by K.V.M.; Giallo Napoli; Gold Star; LaGebi; Masone II; Minti Mode; Papillon; Phool; Renuka; Short Circuit; Steed Import Inc.; Vile Parle; Xessorium; Zero Zero.

Some labels with no other brand information had these numbers: RN 81177; RN 74867; RN 50971; RN 57716. ILLUSTRATION: FREE HOT LINE

The Consumer Product Safety Commission will answer questions

about the recall on its toll-free hot line:

(800) 638-2772.

KEYWORDS: RECALL SKIRTS INDIA FIRE HAZARD by CNB