More than 600 fires caused by 'potential killer' washing machines in the Midlands
More than 600 house fires in the Midlands have been started by tumble dryers over the last decade, new figures have revealed.
And nearly 100 people have also been injured in those blazes since 2009 – but no-one to date has been killed.
It means on average faulty or overheated tumble dryers are causing a fire in the region every week.
The shocking figures, unveiled under the Freedom of Information Act, have prompted MPs to call for action by manufacturers and the Government over the 'potential killers'.
In the West Midlands there have been 313 house fires where a tumble dryer is believed to have been the cause.
In Staffordshire the figure is 221 and in Shropshire it is 82.
Meanwhile 54 people in the West Midlands were injured, 13 in Staffordshire and 22 in Shropshire – a total of 89.
It comes as major concerns over the safety of household 'white goods' have been expressed in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster in London which is believed to have been started by a faulty fridge-freezer.
Cannock Chase MP Amanda Milling, a leading fire safety campaigner, said: "The number of incidents in the West Midlands, and the number of people injured is too high. Government, manufacturers and the fire and rescues services need to work together to identify and develop ways of reducing these numbers further. Having worked very closely with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service regarding waste fires, I know how seriously they take fire prevention work and I look forward to working with them on the issue of white goods.
Warley MP John Spellar added: "These figures are concerning. Manufacturers and the Government should do more detailed research to establish if there is a particular pattern which may mean they must take action to remedy the problem."
Ex-Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron added: “People are sitting with potential death traps in their homes. The Government urgently needs to act to prevent a repeat of the Grenfell tragedy in the West Midlands.
"The current product safety system is broken and potentially putting people’s lives at risk. Something needs to be done and quickly."
The Government says that since 2010 the number of white good fires has declined by 6.7 per cent.
Stourbridge MP and consumer minister Margot James said: "The Government's top priority is to keep people safe. Britain has some of the toughest product safety requirements in the world and we have a robust system in place so people know if faulty products need to be repaired or replaced.
“Our product recall website makes it clear to the public which white goods are safe to use at home and we are considering the framework for a national body to support consumers on product safety.”
West Midlands Fire Service warns: "Tumble dryers are potential killers if you don’t look after them. Don’t leave them on overnight or unattended, remove the lint and fluff from the trap after every load of clothes dried, don’t cover the vent or any other opening, ensure the vent pipe is free of kinks and not crushed in any way, only use vent pipes that are recommended for use with tumble dryers, only vent the warm air to the outside of a building, don’t put rags or materials into your tumble dryer if they have been used to soak up flammable liquids."
Glynn Luznyj of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Faults in electrical equipment and appliances are the second biggest causes of accidental house fires here in Staffordshire. We’re keen to see improvements in the manufacturing standards for white goods and also the product recall system, to heighten public awareness.”
