Winnipeg, MB - At 7:01 p.m. on January 2, 2019, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews responded to reports of smoke in a side-by-side multi-family residence in the 0-100 block of Vincent Street. Upon arrival, crews found a working fire which had originated in the clothes dryer in one of the suites. An offensive attack was launched and the fire was very quickly extinguished. While damage from the flames was kept contained to the dryer, the home suffered smoke damage throughout.
Occupants of the home had self-evacuated prior to WFPS crews’ arrival. No injuries were reported.
Fire investigators determined a malfunction involving the dryer drum as the cause of this fire. This incident serves as a good reminder to residents to never run their dryer while away from their home. Damage from this fire was minimized because residents were home and able to call 911 before the fire extended beyond the interior of the dryer.
In 2017, WFPS responded to 11 dryer fires. Residents can reduce the risk of these types of fires by following these important tips:
- Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional to ensure it is in good working order.
- Do not use the dryer without a lint filter and always clean the filter after each load of laundry.
- Periodically check the venting system to ensure there is no lint buildup and it is not damaged, crushed or restricted.
- Make sure the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer is running.
- Never leave a dryer running when leaving your home.