Warning issued after washing machine fire

A Runanga resident had a lucky escape when their washing machine caught fire. Photo / Greymouth Star

A Runanga resident had a lucky escape when their washing machine caught fire on Saturday morning.

The Fire Service says the incident serves as a reminder for people to check that they are not using appliances that have been recalled for safety reasons.

The Runanga Volunteer Fire Brigade was called to extinguish the fire, on the corner of State highway 6 and Duncan Street, shortly before 7am.

The laundry room was left with smoke and water damage and the householder was taken to Grey Base Hospital for precautionary treatment for minor smoke inhalation and was later discharged.

Fire Service West Coast area fire risk management officer Dan Greene said the woman had loaded her washing machine and set it going when she went back a short while later to add another laundry item.

"It was smoking. She did the right thing and unplugged it," Mr Greene said.

However, five minutes later the smoking machine caught fire.

"If she hadn't by chance gone and put that extra tea towel in there or there was no one home, it could have been a lot worse."

When Mr Greene arrived to inspect the scene it emerged the washing machine was a Samsung top loader, 36,000 of which had been recalled two years ago -- specifically models manufactured from 2010 to 2012, and some from 2013. Those particular machines had a faulty seal, where moisture can get into the electrics.

As of today about 8000 of the recalled machines have not been serviced.

Runanga fire chief Gavin Gibbens said the incident was a reminder to residents that if they found themselves dealing with a small fire in a room they should close the doors to prevent the spread of ignitable, unconsumed smoke, which at a certain point can 'flash over' into flames.

The owner had tried to extinguish the fire where it was involved with some water "but it wasn't enough to do it."

Not long after firefighters arrived the heavy fuel-laden smoke spontaneously "flashed over" inside the house and firefighters did a good job to contain the situation.

"It was burning quite well. If she wasn't home the house would have been quite involved," Mr Gibbens said.

The bathroom-laundry and the nearby kitchen were all left with severe smoke damage.

• The Fire Service has an extensive list of recalled products which could be read via its website.

• People with Samsung washing machines can call the support line on 0800 855 502 if they still have a recalled model. The models affected are: SW75V9WIP, SW65V9WIP, SW80SPWIP, SW70SPWIP.

- Greymouth Star