On Monday the 2nd of July 2012 around 21.30 I luckily happened to nip into our kitchen for a glass of water after checking our 5 year old son in bed. As I walked into the kitchen our Hotpoint FDW60 set on fire, I immediately unplugged the power supply and managed to extinguish the fire as a result of this thick grey toxic smoke filled our kitchen which took at least three days for the smell to go.
As an Electrician by trade I was shocked that something like this could happen, I removed the cover and was amazed to see that the dishwasher module was the starting point, even more shocked that this component was surrounded by flammable materials and in no way enclosed.
I later went to my computer to search for a Hotpoint contact number, it was then to my horror that I started to uncover the extent of other peoples experiences. Indeed in the last few months numerous dishwashers have caught on fire. The next link I followed showed me pictures of another Hotpoint model that had set on fire a chill went down my spine when I saw a picture of the machines module that had been the cause of the problem, the picture was a mirror image of my console.
This module is present in 19 dishwashers mainly Hotpoint but also Indesit and Ariston.
We were lucky and the risk to our family is now over, my aim now is to make sure no-one is killed by one of these machines. I will not comment further for the moment on my case until I can provide further news.
What I do want is for anybody that has had a similar or worse case to contact me, whatever dishwasher model or manufacturer please post your stories as I am trying to promote how dangerous some dishwashers can be.
I will keep updating this blog with any info I can, for the moment thank you for taking the time to read this blog.
PLEASE NOTE I AM ONLY A WORRIED PARENT/HUMAN BEING, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME MAY ONLY BE A COINCIDENCE THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS SO UNTIL THINGS HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED PLEASE DO NOT PANIC BUT STAY SAFE. I WOULD ADVISE PEOPLE NOT TO PUT APPLIANCES ON WHEN NOT AT HOME AND UNDER NO CICUMSTANCES WHEN YOU GO TO BED.
Please follow the links below:
http://goo.gl/maps/OHOqB
http://www.reviewcentre.com/Dishwashers/Hotpoint-FDW60-review_1517619
http://www.recommendedbuys.co.uk/household-appliances/dishwashers/hotpoint-fdw60.htm
http://www.keithborer.co.uk/news/view-article/hotpoint-dwf70s-dishwasher-fire
http://www.supremeplumb.com/cgi-bin/spares_centre/DMdatabase.cgi?action=/home/suprem13/public_html/cgi-bin/spares_centre/home/Shop/Washing_Machine_Spares/All_Washing_Machine_Spares.txt&item=00958
http://www.which.co.uk/news/2012/04/are-your-kitchen-appliances-putting-you-at-risk-283135/
