Fire chief warns of 'killer' washing machines after 254 fires in one year

A spate of 'freak' fires caused by faulty domestic machines have left Shropshire householders reeling as fire chiefs warn consumers against buying potential 'killer bargains'.

Fire chiefs today issued a warning with a checklist of do’s and don’ts after it was revealed there were 254 accidental domestic fires in the county in the past year.

Over the past five years there have been an average of 248.

Businessman Geoff Williams, 56, and wife Andrea, a physiotherapist, arrived home to find a washing machine had caused £40,000 fire and smoke damage to their 20 room historic farmhouse in Edgmond, near Newport.

“They had to take the ceiling down. It was so damaged,” said Geoff (56), whose three storey home, dating back to 1745, is still under repair four months later.

The fire triggered a burglar alarm as windows cracked from the intensity of the heat. Fortunately neighbours heard the noise and used a hosepipe through a vent to put out the fire.

They then got hold of a spare key to rescue the family’s two trapped pets.

Geoff Williams Credit: Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service

The family of six has bought two top of the range washing machines in the hope of preventing a repeat.

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said the majority of house fires start in the kitchen with cookers being top of the “hit list” with a recorded 86 blazes from April 2015 to the end of March 2016.

Second came tumble dryers and washing machines with 14 cases each.

DOs

  • Check the condition of your wiring – This should be done when you move into a new home and then once every 10 years.

  • Check your sockets regularly – if you see burn marks or they feel hot, get a registered electrician to check them.

  • Be careful when using hand-held electrical equipment. Make sure you switch off and unplug when you have finished. This is important with items that get hot, for instance hairdryers or curling tongs, as they may come into contact with materials that can catch fire (like curtains).

DON'Ts

  • It’s safer to have extra sockets installed if needed. Don't overload any adaptor or socket – especially with appliances that have a high electrical current such as kettles, irons or heaters.

  • Put electric heaters near curtains or furniture – or dry clothes on them.

  • Cover the air vents on storage heaters or fan heaters.

  • Trail flexible cables under carpets or rugs.