Firefighters have issued safety advice after a tumble drier burst into flames.

As previously reported, two fire crews from Bridport were called to the blaze in a utility room at a property on High Street, Toller Porcorum at 11.48am on Friday, December 8.

The occupants were safely out of the house when the crews arrived.

The fire was put out by officers using one hose reel jet, thermal imaging cameras, a PPV fan and small tools.

A spokesperson from Bridport Fire said that the home owner had working smoke alarms, alerting them to the fire, with the damage contained to the utility room and kitchen.

Following the fire, Bridport Fire Station have released safety advice on tumble dryers and washing machines.

A spokesperson said: “Tumble dryers and washing machines contain powerful motors with fast moving parts that get very hot. If you don’t clean and maintain your machine, excess fluff or lint can build up over time and catch fire.”

The spokesperson highlighted the common signs of danger:

  • Tumble dryer smells like burning
  •  Textiles are taking longer to dry than usual.
  • Dried items hotter at the end of a cycle.
  • Whether the vent flap stays shut when the dryer is on.

If any of the above are noticeable, Bridport Fire recommend cleaning the filter and checking the vent pipe, as well as checking the manufacturer’s instructions.  

The spokesperson continued, saying to never leave the appliances unattended or running overnight, or if they have been used to soak up a flamible liquid.

Advice to maintain your appliance: 

  • Bridport Fire have advised people to keep their dryers ventilated, and ensure that the vent pipe is kink free and not blocked or damaged in every way.
  • Never cover the vent or any other opening.
  • Ensure vent pipe is kink free, not blocked or crushed in any way.
  • Keep dryer well ventilated.
  • Clean the filter in your dryer after every use.
  • Only vent warm air to outside of the building, and have it serviced regularly by an engineer.
  • Always have working smoke alarms, and check them regularly.

The spokesperson continued: “Our advice is to never use tumble dryers and washing machines overnight; there is a risk of fire if these appliances develop a fault, and if this happens when people are sleeping, the risk to life is far greater. Some products may have safety recalls. If you have registered yours, you should be notified if your appliance has a safety recall.

To check for a safety recall to your appliance, visit: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/