British Expatriate Network

My tumble drier is currently sitting outside.

The nice men from the local fire department carried it out for me.

I had just put some clothing in it from the washer and was in the process of putting another load of laundry in when I smelled burning and saw smoke coming from the dryer so I pulled the plug out of the wall, threw the breaker and called 911....never done that before, not here at least, so we vacated the house and waited for the FD to turn up. One guy came walking down the driveway...he was having dinner at his in-laws two doors down! He was swiftly followed by several more so I had about 7 of them in my basement and there were another 10 or so outside!!! Anyways, they moved it outside after having a peep through the thermal imaging camera and declared it hot but OK...and that I should have an appliance man look at it as the motor or the belt had most likely burned out.

Mike is in Mexico. roll

Last Friday the heating element in my oven decided to go all sparky and light up the oven like it was July 4th. Even after turning it off and throwing that breaker it glowed for a good two hours.

Mike was in Mexico then too.

I think I should go and live in a tent. ???

Debs x shock

Oh, that happened to me in my Mums house years ago with her tumble drier. Came downstairs and smelt smoke coming from the kitchen. Unplugged it, apparently only flipped the breaker for the lights according to my Dad and fanned the flames coming from the back of it with a stiff piece of cardboard. I think I was fourteen. Nowadays I might freak a bit more. it wasn't a lint fire apparently.

I've also not had a lot of luck with hairdryers as I've had flames/sparks shoot out of three of those so no longer own such a device.

Sorry Mike is in Mexico when all this sort of stuff happens.

Were the firemen cute? wink

Sadly no. Not cute.

Portly and very personable but not approaching cute.


When I was working back home a lady in one of the sheltered flats used to deliberately burn toast so it would set off the smoke alarms and get the firemen out automatically. Now THEY were cute! wink

The old girl may have been a bit senile but she sure as hell knew what she was about!!!! lol

Debs x smile

Ugh. I think you should mail the aforementioned appliances to Mexico. With nasty surprises inside. And complain to the local fire department regulators. Perhaps your town could start a sinking fund (whatever that is, dunno but they're always voting on them here) for new gym equipment at the fire station?

lol

I hate electrical thingy malfunctions. Still desperate to get a gas stove.

Next time go with Mike to Mexico! wink