A dryer fire left a family of five homeless. The blaze caused extensive damage to their home in late November.
Mandy found black smoke in the hallway and rushed her family outside. Lola, son JC, 19, and four dogs escaped. Firefighters quickly arrived and put the fire out, but the house suffered terrible damage.
The family spent Christmas in a hotel and Mandy thinks repairs will take up to 18 months. Electrical Safety First wants to reduce electrical fire risks and aims to prevent related injuries and deaths.
Mandy described the day as a normal, late November Saturday. She had dried some washing in the tumble dryer when Lola smelled burning ten minutes later. Thick, black smoke quickly came from the dryer, prompting Mandy to scream for everyone to exit.
Lola got her autistic brother and the dogs out before calling the fire service. Mandy was amazed at Lola’s calm demeanor, as she said they left in blind panic and saw the flames grow bigger.
Mandy felt afraid, angry, and anxious because she could not save her family’s home. The awful day will stay with her, as they felt lost after the fire and were in shock, feeling homeless.
The family could only watch their home burn until firefighters arrived within minutes. They opened the door and found only fire, leading the family away from the house. Mandy and her son were barefoot.
A neighbor offered them hot tea and the family stayed in temporary housing before spending Christmas in a hotel. They brought a small tree and presents, trying their best to stay positive.
Being close helped them and their housing provider did their best, but it was was a tough New Year. Getting their home back will take time, which impacted their mental health; Lola attends counseling now.
Electrical fires happen for various reasons, but people can take simple steps to reduce the risk. Lesley Rudd, who leads Electrical Safety First, said fires ruin lives and destroy homes, often beginning with everyday appliances.
Poor ventilation, along with damaged wiring and lack of maintenance, can cause fires. Faults and overloaded extension leads also create risks. Therefore, clean dryer lint filters often and register appliances for recall notices.
Check for damaged cables and avoid using extension leads. Don’t run appliances at night because fires are dangerous when you sleep. Fire alarms save lives, so place one on every floor to quickly alert you to fires.
