Owners of tumble dryers would be wise to take warning from the experience of a Tenby resident this week as her machine exploded and melted before her eyes.

As a landlord, Tina Torkington, of Heywood Lane, is more than averagely careful to make sure electrical appliances are safely installed and well maintained. So imagine her dismay upon finding her White Knight tumble dryer emitting an acrid smell and puffing smoke.

Thankfully, the dryer was not in the house; it was installed in a garden shed at the bottom of the garden. On finding the smoke, Tina disconnected the machine, dragged it outside and went immediately to the house to fetch the fire extinguisher, but what she found when she returned bordered on the horrific: in that short time the machine had exploded into flames and the front had melted.

“I just can’t believe the fire was so intense that it would melt the dryer,” she said. “Had the dryer been in my kitchen there would have been serious damage to the property. Had I not moved it when I did I may have been seriously injured.”

The machine was old but well maintained: “I regularly emptied the fluff collector after every use.” The extinguisher worked very quickly to deal with the blaze, but… “You don’t expect an electrical appliance suddenly to combust. It was frightening.”

Without much idea on how to safeguard against such a disaster, Tina is anxious that people become aware of how dangerous tumble dryers can be.

“Never leave home whilst these appliances are being used and never put them on before you go to bed,” she advises.

Furthermore, her insurance company, a reputable firm, have told her that, in line with other companies, while home insurance policies cover damage caused by electrical fires, appliances themselves are not covered.

Station Manager Steve Davies, Deputy Head of Community Safety for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue service said: “Many of us use tumble dryers to dry our clothes during the winter months and it is very important that we regularly clean the appliance from lint or fluff and do not overload these appliances.

“Do not get complacent with maintaining your tumble dryer. Please ensure that you follow these safety points:

• ?Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the use and maintenance of the appliance

• Clean the lint trap after every use – the build-up of lint or fluff can cause fires

• Don’t overload plug sockets – the high wattage for a tumble dryer means that it needs its own 13 amp socket.

• Don’t leave appliances unattended – don’t turn the tumble dryer on before you leave the house or go to bed. Tumble dryers contain powerful motors with fast moving parts that get very hot.

• Don’t ignore warning signs - If you can smell burning or clothes feel hotter at the end of cycle, have your appliance checked out.

• Don’t overload your tumble dryer or put items in that have been used to soak up flammable liquids including cooking oil.

“Most importantly of all, fit working smoke alarms in your home and test them weekly. “If something does go wrong, it could save your life and that of your family.

“In the event of a fire, get out of the property, stay out and phone the Fire and Rescue Service,” he added.