Penrhyn Bay family saved by smoke detectors when dishwasher catches fire

Jun 10 2010 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

Family saved by smoke detectors when dishwasher catches fire

A MUM and her four-year-old daughter could have died in a blaze when a dishwasher caught fire if their house hadn’t had working smoke detectors.

And the family have spoken out in praise of a free fire safety check they were given by North Wales Fire Service, and to warn others about the dangers of leaving appliances like dishwashers or washing machines working when they go to bed.

On Wednesday last week Michelle Matthews and her daughter Molly, four, were in bed at their home in Penrhyn Bay, when Michelle heard the smoke alarm going off. Investigating she found that smoke was pouring out of the dishwasher which she had switched on just before going upstairs at 10.30pm.

“Molly was asleep, and the fire service have told us that she could have been quickly overcome by the smoke if the alarm hadn’t gone off to make Michelle aware of the fire. She got Molly out and called the fire brigade who were there in five minutes, but by that time the dishwasher had burst into flames.

“I dread to think what would have happened if we hadn’t had the free fire safety check and the fire service hadn’t fitted the smoke detectors. It’s a wonderful service,” said Michelle’s husband Alan.

He and the couple’s son Casper, nine, were at the cinema when the fire broke out.

“Michelle and Molly were in the house on their own, it could have been so much worse. We want to let people know how important it is to have the fire safety check and to have the alarms installed. The fire service don’t charge so there is no expense involved.

“We also want to warn people not to leave appliances switched on when they go to bed. We were in the habit of putting the dishwasher on at that time, but we won’t be doing it again,” he explained.

Although the fire was put out quite quickly the smoke damage to the kitchen is such that the family have had to move out while it is renovated.

Alyn Edwards, county fire safety manager for Conwy county said North Wales Fire Service had recently dealt with a spate of fires apparently caused by electrical faults in appliances like dishwashers, tumble dryers and even a ‘fridge freezer.

“It highlights the need to disconnect appliances when people are in bed or have left the house to go shopping for instance. It also show how important it is to have working smoke detectors installed. It’s a service we are able to offer free thanks to funding from the Welsh Assembly Government as part of their Safer Homes strategy,” he commented.

For a free home fire safety check call 0800 169 1234.