Washing machine fire 'frightening' experience for new mum

Another woman also had a lucky escape over the weekend when her washing machine caught fire. Photo / Supplied

Jessica Bensemann had been home from hospital with her newborn son less than 12 hours when her Samsung washing machine went up in smoke and destroyed the bathroom.

The Masterton woman gave birth to her son Lucas last week and returned home with him on the night of Friday 26 June.

The next morning she got up and put a load of washing in the machine. Within 10 minutes her bathroom was full of thick black smoke and the machine was on fire.

Ms Bensemann shared her story after reading about a Runanga resident who had a lucky escape at the weekend when their washing machine caught fire.

"We couldn't see anything, the smoke was so black. We had to go outside and smash the bathroom window and put the hose in to put the fire out," she told the Herald.

"We called the fire brigade and they had to come and put it our properly. The fire destroyed the bathroom, it all has to be gutted."

Ms Bensemann said the fire was frightening, more so as she had a newborn in the house. No one needed medical treatment in her case.

She said she and her partner knew there had been a recall notice for the washing machine.

"My partner called Samsung two years ago when the recall notice was issued. They came out and checked it and we never heard back from them, so we assumed it was safe," she said.

The munted machine was taken from the house by the Fire Service who are investigating the fire. They have told Ms Bensemann that her fire started through an electrical fault in the machine.

She said Samsung were aware of the issue and her insurance company was now handling it.

The Fire Service said the incidents should serve as a reminder for people to check that they are not using appliances that have been recalled for safety reasons.

The recall notice was issued for 36,000 Samsung top loader washing machines 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, the Greymouth Star reported.

• 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.

Customers can contact the Samsung call centre on 0800 855 502 or email Samsung on productrework.senz@samsung.com.

More helpful information can also be found on the Samsung website.