A popular feature in modern kitchens has caused two house fires in Northland in the past month, one of which destroyed a home at Mangawhai.
Fire investigator Gary Beer said blazes caused by kitchen appliance garages were ''surprisingly common'' and the results could be devastating.
On December 12 a two-storey home on Lake Rd in Te Arai, near Mangawhai, was razed after a fire started in appliance garage. On January 1 a Whangarei man had a close call when his appliance garage also started a fire. It was extinguished before the flames spread beyond a corner of the kitchen but his Garden Court home was badly smoke damaged.
Appliance garages are designed to store toasters, jugs and other appliances. They are usually fitted with electric sockets, so appliances can be left plugged in, and closed with a small roller door to keep the kitchen looking tidy.
However, if the appliances are not pushed back far enough the door can be pulled down onto the toaster handle. The toaster is jammed in the 'on' position and unable to pop up. Heat builds up rapidly inside the cupboard, causing ignition.