This incident, which happened on Saturday, 14 January, in Hatfield Road, Bradford, is one of several similar incidents where fires appear to have been caused by faulty electrics on appliances across the region.
Now firefighters are urging the public to get their appliances tested, especially second-hand machines, to stop any further incidents. This warning coincides with the national Register My Appliance Week, which starts today, January 23.
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) is supporting the campaign which reminds people to register appliances with the manufacturer, no matter what the size and whether they have been bought new or are second hand.
Recent research conducted for the national campaign has shown that there has been a surge in the number of people who would consider buying a second-hand appliance; up from one in six four years ago to one in four people now.
For environmentally minded Millennials (people born between 1981 and 1996, also known as Gen Y), as many as two in five are now likely to buy pre-loved online, with the over 55s least likely - at 12 percent. However, the same research revealed only one in five people would consider registering their appliance with the manufacturer before installing it.
Saving money was the principal motivator for buying previously used. When asked their reasons for considering it at any time in the future, 70 percent said to save money and 39 percent because it would be the only way to afford to replace an essential appliance. However, environmental motives and saving resources also scored well as 39 percent cited environmental reasons for taking the pre-loved route. This rose to almost half for Millennials.
The campaign has been launched by the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA), and WYFRS is keen to get behind it after dealing with a few tumble dryer fires.
Dave Walton, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, said: “We know that many more people are thinking about buying second hand appliances, often in a bid to cut costs. Some will also be installing products pre-used by another member of their family or maybe adopting a machine already connected when they moved into a new house.
“It is easy and free to register an appliance, and it means the manufacturer knows where to find it in case of a safety repair or recall. Registering your appliance may even extend the life of the appliance and could save you money by entitling you to an extended warranty or guarantee period.”
Those living in West Yorkshire who have any fire safety concerns can request a free Safe and Well visit from WYFRS fire prevention team if they meet the eligibility criteria. As part of the visit the team will identify any potential fire risks in the home, help residents put together an escape plan and ensure they have working smoke alarms.
Those wanting to find out if they are eligible can call 0800 5874536 or complete an online form here. Anyone who is deemed as being low risk, WYFRS offer a free interactive online resource to help residents to conduct their own fire safety checks.
Registermyappliance.org.uk provides free and easy access to 60 leading brands sold in the UK. Many accept registration of products at least 12 years old and no proof of purchase is needed.