Shropshire residents warned over 'freak' white good fires
Shropshire householders were today warned to be aware of the dangers that washing machines and dryers can pose – following a spate of "freak" fires caused by faulty white goods.
New figures released today reveal there were 254 accidental domestic fires in the county last year, which Shropshire Fire Service has called "unprecedented".
Hotel manager Margot Foster was one of 14 victims. She had switched the dryer on in the garage of her remote home near Cound, while she got ready for work.
A few minutes later fire had spread and destroyed both the metal garage and a conservatory while melting PVC window frames in their daughter's upstairs bedroom.
Mrs Foster said: "If I'd put it on while everyone was asleep, God knows what would have happened."
Mrs Foster, her husband Adrian and 12-year-old daughter were forced to move out of their home into temporary accommodation in Much Wenlock.
She said: "Everybody, just don't leave them unattended. I never will now. It was a disaster waiting to happen."
Businessman Geoff Williams and wife Andrea, a physiotherapist, arrived home to find a washing machine had caused £40,000 fire and smoke damage to their historic farmhouse in Edgmond, near Newport.
Mr Williams, 56, said: "They had to take the ceiling down. It was so damaged."
The 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.
Mr Williams said: "The whole house was covered in smoke. The dogs were just under the smoke cloud and were saved in time.
"The fire burned electric cables and damaged water and gas pipes. The cellar was under 18 inches of water.
"There were also 'hotspots' inside the metre-thick walls. I just can't believe that something metal and full of water can cause such damage. Smoke caused £30,000 damage and the fire £10,000."
Newport firefighter Charlie Cartwright also suffered a tumble dryer fire which he dealt with in his garage.
He said: "There were flames coming out of the back which I managed to put out. Fluff had got between the seal and into the motor and set it on fire.
"It just shows it can happen to anyone."
The rise in fires comes despite a campaign by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service to raise awareness about the dangers.
They made 3,233 fire safety visits last year to homes occupied by elderly and vulnerable people to highlight the need for smoke alarms and to check for fire safety hazards.
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 on the list came tumble dryers and washing machines with 28, followed by 20 fires caused by faulty cables, 19 caused by toaster and grills, 18 caused by microwaves and 13 by heating devices. John Das Gupta, head of area command at Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, has led the campaign to reduce the number of fires.
He said: "We aim to reduce domestic fires by 20 per cent in five years from an average of 248 a year down to 186. It is a massive challenge and we have failed so far in reaching the target."
He urged people to visit www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk for a list of dos and don'ts to cut down the risk of domestic fires.
Elderly and vulnerable householders can call Shrewsbury's fire HQ on (01743) 260200 for a free home fire safety check.
