500 fires caused by faulty appliances

FAULTY appliances including tumble dryers, cookers and fridges were responsible for more than 500 fires across North Wales in recent years, figures have revealed.

Other defective electrical goods included on a fire service list were electric blankets, TVs, washing machines, microwaves, wires, plugs, heaters, vacuum cleaners, computers, lights and battery chargers.

In addition, fire crews extinguished more than 1,000 blazes which involved non-faulty appliances but started for reasons including tea towels left on hobs, clothes too close to heat and food building up in cookers and toasters.

Many of those fires damaged properties and some destroyed buildings, prompting further safety advice from fire chiefs.

The figures were revealed in a Freedom of Information request covering the period from 2012 to March 2017.

In September fire officers urged people not to leave phone chargers switched on while unconnected to mobiles following fires in Saltney and Oakenholt which happened within three hours of each other.

An inquest heard the same month a fault in a tumble dryer was the most likely cause of a flat fire which killed two men.

Bernard Hender, 19, and Doug McTavish, 39, died following the blaze at a flat in Llanrwst in 2014.

In January a man and woman were taken to hospital after a fire broke out at their home on Brickpool, Amlwch. They were taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.

Tim Owen, from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “These incidents highlight the danger of electrical fires - they can strike anytime, anywhere. Never leave items on charge or unattended for long periods – and ensure the plug to the charger is switched off even if it’s not connected to your phone.

“Never mix and match chargers – always use the charger supplied.

“Always follow the manufacturers’ instructions when using electrical items and turn off and unplug them before you go to bed.”