Fire Brigade Blames Faulty Tumble Dryer for Tower Block Blaze

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Tells manufacturer Whirlpool to change its advice 'as matter of urgency'

London Fire Brigade has blamed a faulty tumble dryer for last week's fire in a Shepherd's Bush tower block - and says it wants the manufacturer Whirlpool to change its advice on faulty white goods.

The aftermath of the fire within the kitchen can be seen in the picture above.

The Brigade says on its website: "Last week a blaze ripped through an 18 storey high rise. It took 120 firefighters to put it out. Our fire investigators believe it was caused by a faulty Indesit tumble dryer which was subject to ‘corrective action’ by the manufacturer. It was due to be seen by an engineer.

"After this devastating fire we now want the Indesit’s parent company, Whirlpool, to change their current advice to consumers as a matter of urgency."

The Brigade says Whirlpool's current advice is:

You may continue to use your tumble dryer whilst waiting for the modification, however, we require that you do not leave your dryer unattended during operation as an extra precaution (i.e. do not leave the house or leave the dryer on whilst asleep).

And it says: " We want this change because we attend nearly one fire a day involving white goods. While there is a fire risk people should not use their appliance until it has been checked and repaired.

Five concerns about Whirlpool’s current advice

1. The safety notice was issued due to the danger of fire and any fire has the potential to endanger life and property.
2. It’s impractical for most people to remain with an appliance for the duration of a drying cycle.
3. If the dryer does catch fire while it’s attended this still presents a risk to the occupants.
4. If the owner attempts to put out a fire in an appliance they could be putting their life at risk. The Brigade’s advice is to not risk tackling the fire, always raise the alarm, get out, stay out and call 999.
5. The time a fire may break out because of a fault is unpredictable. The ignition of fluff accumulated around a heating element may cause a smouldering fire which might not be discovered until the appliance has finished being used and the owner has gone to bed.

" Friday’s blaze started in the kitchen of a seventh floor flat and the occupants were in at the time and using their tumble dryer. Thankfully they were uninjured and escaped smoke coming from the dryer. The residents of four other flats in the block have also had to be rehoused following the blaze."

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson says: " If my kitchen had one of the recalled goods in it, I would unplug it straight away until it has been checked and repaired. The speed with which the fire took hold shows how dangerous a faulty tumble dryer can be that’s why we are calling for Whirlpool to urgently change their advice to consumers.‎

" The flat’s occupants had a terrifying ordeal. The kitchen quickly became smoke logged and thankfully they noticed the smoke and quickly left the flat and called the Brigade. This decision could have saved lives.

" If your appliance is subject to a safety or recall notice or you think there is something wrong with it our advice is simple. Unplug it immediately and contact the manufacturer or a qualified repair technician."

H&F Council has responded to the incident by calling on the manufacturers to recall and replace all faulty models immediately

Cllr Sue Fennimore, the council’s social inclusion cabinet member says: " Anyone with any concerns about their tumble dryer should contact their manufacturer straight away and ask for their dryers to be replaced.

" For the families who have lost everything in this fire, this has been a terrible, traumatic experience and we are doing everything we can to support them and help them put their lives back together."

H&F Council says it has immediately ordered a review of all the appliances used in council buildings. It is also writing to all residents and business in H&F to alert them to the dangers and to urge them to check whether their dryers are on the list of models causing concern and take the necessary steps to protect their homes, families and businesses.

The council says the Fire Brigade have also concluded that the fire precaution features at Shepherd’s Court played a valuable role in preventing the spread of the fire and in containing the damage.

Cllr Fennimore adds: " I was on the ground in Shepherd’s Bush on Friday evening and over the weekend, and saw first-hand the tremendous response of the London Fire Brigade, other emergency services and local residents and businesses, who responded so brilliantly in extremely challenging circumstances."

H&F is continuing to house eight families while repairs are made to their flats.

London Fire Brigade is inviting residents to join its Total Recalls campaign is calling for changes that will make white goods safer and stop fires like this ruining lives. You can find out more about the campaign here.

You can find out if your product is subject to a product recall or safety notice here.

If it is London Fire Brigade's advice is to stop using it immediately.

 

August 31, 2016

 

 

 

August 19, 2016