Beko warns dryers risk catching fire

A Beko tumble dryer that caught fire in the United Kingdom. The company is recalling DCU8330GX dryers in New Zealand. Picture supplied via Facebook.

Domestic appliance company Beko A&NZ is warning that some of its tumble dryers are at risk of catching fire.

The company said in a statement it was initiating a voluntary repair programme as a precaution after the discovery of a "potentially faulty component which, in rare circumstances, could fail and overheat and lead to a risk of fire".

It was trying to locate 113 Beko 8kg condensed dryers, model DCU8330GX, manufactured between June and July 2012 and sold in New Zealand.

The company said it had sold 164 units of this model in New Zealand, of which 113 with serial numbers in the range 12XXXXXX06 to 12XXXXXX07 were at risk.

Beko dryer model DCU8330GX that are being recalled in New Zealand. Picture / supplied.

It asked anyone who owns a Beko condenser dryer to check the model number, which is located on the front panel on the top right corner. If the model number is DCU8330GX Beko urged people not to use the device until it has been checked by a Beko expert.

The company said it would arrange an inspection and modify affected dryers if required, free of charge.

The Daily Mail reported yesterday that thousands of Beko dryers had been recalled in the UK after a string of house fires, including one that killed a mother of two.

The newspaper reported that five years ago the Turkish company announced a recall on its 6kg and 7kg capacity dryers thought to have caused some 100 fires.

Beko can be contacted on 0800 69 2356 between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday, or by email at Beko.care@Beko.com, or through its website, www.beko.co.nz/dryerrepair.