Hewlett-Packard Co, the world’s largest PC maker, is recalling 15,000 laptop batteries distributed in China because of a danger they could overheat, China said on Tuesday on its quality inspections web site.

HP China will replace the batteries — used in HP Pavilion, Compaq Presario and HP Compaq models — for free because in extreme conditions they can overheat and pose a fire hazard, the government said on its website (www.aqsiq.gov.cn).