Plastic items in dishwasher cause of fire in north-side Ann Arbor home
Plastic items overheated in a dishwasher and started a fire that caused extensive damage to a home on the north side of Ann Arbor early Friday morning, Ann Arbor Fire Marshal Kathy Chamberlain said.
One of the family members who lived in the home in the 2500 block of Georgetown Boulevard had turned on the dishwasher before going to bed, and during the wash cycle, plastic items fell onto the heating element, she said.
A fire inspector takes a picture of the remains of the house that burned on Georgetown Boulevard Friday morning.
The family members were fortunate to have all escaped unharmed, she said, especially since the home's smoke detectors did not appear to have been working.
A loud noise woke the family, and they all managed to get out safely, with the mother and a 3-year-old boy fleeing out the front door, and the father and a 6-year-old girl climbing down from the roof, Chamberlain said.
Dishwashers result in many fire calls every year, Chamberlain said. Fortunately, they don't usually cause full-blown fires, but residents may notice an unusual odor and call the fire department to investigate.
Chamberlain said it's important to follow the manufacturer's directions when washing plastic items in the dishwasher. Often, plastic items will say top-rack safe. Even then, it's important to make sure they are securely seated in the top rack, Chamberlain said, because the force from the wash and rinse cycle can cause them to fall out.
If a plastic item doesn't say it's safe to use in the dishwasher, it's best to wash it by hand, she said. To be extra safe, choose the air-dry option on your dishwasher.
Comments
Patrick Haggood
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 11:29 p.m.
I've talked with a neighbor of this family who are apparently being jerked around by their insurer (Farmers) - as yet they have not been compensated for the fire nor has their insurer begun paying for alternative housing for the family while they drag their feet. Shameful.
Ann English
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 6:17 p.m.
I always use the air-dry method in the dishwasher because if the heated-dry method is used, the dishes are hot to the touch as I dry them. Yes, some plastic items are light enough to be lifted by running water in the dishwasher and left at the drain in the back at the end of the cycle.
bunnyabbot
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 12:48 p.m.
hey bell, you started following me first afterall :P (and I don't know why) anywho, another lead to follow, replace the dryer vent with smooth metal tubing, instead of the usual flexible corrogated tubing. Lint builds up in there (ewwwwwww, gross) The corrogated stuff must have had an over an inch thickness all the way around inside (I blame the former owners of the house), the dryer is more efficiant and less likely to overheat etc. For the $15 in supplies to do it I feel safer :)
pegret
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.
Wow, that's pretty scary, and good to know, even though I never use the dry cycle either. Also, with many newer dishwashers you don't even have to have the water heated by the dishwasher if you just run the hot water in the sink for a few seconds before you begin. It takes a lot less time that way too!
trs80
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 10:45 a.m.
I wash them by hand. Problem not solved, prevented. Plus if you have little ninos (AZ immigration humor) you can get them to wash them as a way to earn their allowance.
jns131
Tue, Apr 27, 2010 : 9:25 a.m.
I was told never to use the heated dry cycle. Waste energy and again, like this article states, can cause a fire if an item drops. Whew. Glad everyone got out safely. What a mess to the house though.
bunnyabbot
Mon, Apr 26, 2010 : 7:32 p.m.
After another reader posted a comment on the original story stating from a known source that this was a dishwasher fire I left a comment about how my own dishwasher was on the verge of a fire. The plastic coated spinning arm became loose, landed on the heating element and when the dry cycle came on it began to melt (burning plastic is an unpleasant smell). My dog alerted me fairly quickly, the dishwasher was full of smoke but luckily not to the point of flames (good dog!). Like many I start the dishwasher before going to bed. It was scary and ever since I do not use the dry cycle.