Tragedy was averted after a tumble dryer caught fire during the night at a home in Gateshead.
The Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) Fire Control received a call about a fire at a home on Rectory Drive in the Bensham area just before midnight on Wednesday October 26.
Two crews from Gateshead Community Fire Station were deployed and arrived at the home within a couple of minutes.
Read more: Whitburn thug punched, kicked and choked woman unconscious during horrific attack
There they found a tumble dryer on fire in a utility room and were quickly able to extinguish it before it spread to the rest of the property. Thankfully nobody was injured in the fire and there was minimal damage to the rest of the property.
Fire chiefs have today praised the occupants for closing the doors to the utility room – preventing the dangerous fire from spreading.
But they have also urged residents not to put electric appliances on overnight in the light of reduced off-peak tariffs being advertised by energy suppliers.
TWFRS are now issuing a warning to the public following the changing of the clocks that have resulted in darker winter nights.
Prevention and Education Manager Karen Soady, of TWFRS, said: “This was a fantastic response by our crews and our Fire Control which helped prevent disaster.
“But lots of credit also has to go to the occupiers who had closed their internal doors and that helped slow the spread of the fire. We will always be there to respond when you need us but we want to prevent these incidents from happening in the first place.
“The cost of living crisis is hitting us hard and we understand people are looking at heating alternatives or other ways to save money. There has been some media coverage around off-peak energy tariffs that can see you save money if you put on your appliances at a certain time.
“But we are urging you not to take this as an opportunity to run appliances like tumble dryers overnight while you sleep – this is a disaster waiting to happen. If you were asleep when an appliance did catch fire, and your smoke alarm didn’t activate, then it could be fatal and so please don’t put yourself in danger.”
Read Next
-
Drunk yob randomly headbutted schoolboy outside Co-op in Northumberland town
-
Woman in court accused of having banned 'Pit Bull-type' fighter dog in her Benwell home
-
Elderly Wallsend driver 'panicked' and fled scene of crash at Aldi before refusing blood test
-
Brave neighbour intervened after spotting Wallsend man punching partner in face
-
Three people in court after suspected fight in Whickham saw one suffer broken nose
