Second tumble dryer to spark serious blaze in under a week

Thursday 22 February 2018

A home and two garages were sent up in flames after a tumble dryer caught fire this morning – the second serious blaze started by the appliance in under a week.

Nine firefighters attended the inferno in St. Clements after being alerted shortly after 07:20 this morning.

When they arrived, the fire was already spreading to a neighbour’s garage, which was attached to their house. It was brought under control using two large hoses in 10 minutes by the team – four of whom had to wear breathing apparatus.

Pictured: The aftermath of the St. Clement fire. (Jersey Fire and Rescue)

The garage was fully destroyed by the fire, while the Fire Service described the damage to the home as “considerable.”

Initial investigations revealed a tumble dryer to be the cause, even though the occupier was reported to have checked and cleaned the filter before using the dryer.

It was the first incident in what was to be a busy morning for the emergency service – just four hours later, they attended a house fire in Gorey following reports of three “loud explosions as well as considerable smoke and flames.”

Pictured: Firefighters working in Gorey this morning. (Jersey Fire and Rescue)

Firefighters found three vehicles “well alight” and affecting the St Martin property and its when they arrived around 11:20. Three members of the team – all equipped with breathing devices – dealt with the fire within five minutes.

The tumble dryer fire in St. Clement comes just days after two islanders were taken to hospital after another tumble dryer fire hit a block of St Helier flats.

Two fire engines and an ambulance were called to Grand Vaux around 23:15 on Sunday evening, where smoke was streaming from a first-floor flat window. The Fire Service are yet to determine the exact cause of the fire.

Pictured: The resulting damage to the cars. (Jersey Fire and Rescue)

Following the two incidents, officers are reissuing a safety reminder about Whirlpool dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015. They warn that excess fluff coming into contact with heating elements can present a fire risk.

Mark James, Chief Fire Officer, commented at the time: “Fire statistics show that large kitchen appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers are at greater risk of causing a fire than other household appliances such as TVs. 

“Such items often have powerful motors and moving parts which can get very hot. In light of recent safety concerns about tumble dryers, the States of Jersey Fire & Rescue Service are adopting similar advice to that given by the National Chief Fire Officers Association, and that is if you own and use a product that has been identified in a safety notice, we would recommend you do not use the appliance until it has been attended to by the manufacturer."

Pictured: The tumble dryer involved in Sunday's blaze. (Jersey Fire and Rescue)

Jersey Fire and Rescue Service issued the following tips to avoid or deal with an appliance fire:

• Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions on using and maintaining your electrical appliances
• Fit smoke and or heat detectors to your home. You should have at least one smoke detector on each level of your home and they should be tested weekly
• Don’t turn on appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers when you are going to bed or going out
• Turn off electrical appliances when they are not in use
• Never tackle a fire yourself – get out, stay out and call 999.