Winnipeg, MB – At 12:23 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, 2023, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service responded to reports of a fire in a two-storey, single-family home in the 300 block of Culver Street.
When crews arrived to the location, they found smoke coming from a clothes dryer in the home. They removed the appliance from the house and extinguished the fire.
Crews completed a search of the house and no occupants were found. No injuries were reported.
Preliminary observations suggest the fire was accidental, caused by a malfunction in the operation of a clothes dryer. The risk of these types of fires can be reduced 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.