House Fire Lost everything, I don't accept liability!

Werdnal

Tumble driers are notorious for starting fires, and you should never leave one on and unattended!

We had a fault with our drier years ago, whilst it was still under guarantee, when the timer failed to switch off. A 45 minute drier cycle went on for 3 hours, totally "fried" the clothing inside, but thankfully did not catch fire. Drier is in our garage and I didn't realise it was still on until I went outside later in the day.

Driers usually have lint filters in them which need to be regularly cleared of fluff to prevent them overheating. You as a tenant are responsible for this, and even though you have only just moved in, you should have checked this before using the machine.

Has fire service commented? Are they going to issue you a report? Can you google the make and model to see if there is a history of faults with this machine?

Even if the machine is the cause, you leaving it on and going out has made the situation worse, and I think you may have a battle on your hands trying to prove the LL is liable here!

Aylesbury_Duck

You may also have a problem with the fact that you left it unattended. Modern appliances have functionality or cycles that almost encourage this but many fire services advise not to leave appliances, particularly tumble driers, running unattended. I don't like to run the dishwasher or washing machine whilst we're out (or even overnight) in case of fire or flood and I never run the tumbler whilst we're out because of the heat it generates. Your LL's insurance may or may not have this as a clause.

bmhr

Thanks for all of your advice; it’s helpful to get a more realistic view of the situation

I didn’t overload the tumble dryer, I checked the filter and the inside of the dryer and it appeared clean and free of lint. The items I had put in it were not soaking wet they had just come out the washing machine after a spin cycle.

I suppose I should just be happy that I am alive!

bmhr

I think I am going to wait until the fire report comes out, if it makes any clear suggestion that the fire was cause by negligence on the landlords behalf I might look into it. If it doesn’t I’m just going to learn from my mistakes and make sure I’m insured in the future.

martinsurrey

Land lord is only liable for contents if you can prove he was negligent with regards to the cause of the fire, not indicate, but prove.

My guess is for all you could say it could have been an electrical fault with the drier, his council could also argue that it was an accumulation of lint which caused the build up of heat and combustion of the contents, with no proof either way he wins.

I would be more concerned about the land lords insurance company coming after me for their damage, leaving it on unattended could be construed as negligent; did you read the instructions before you used it? What weight of clothes did you put in? How long did you put them in for?

dacouch

The fire brigade will generally just indicate where the fire started unless they think there's foul play involved.

If you want to prove exactly how the fire started eg whether there was a faulty component in the tumble dryer that directly caused it. You would need to employ the services of someone like Hawkins who Insurers would use if they're not sure of a claim or want to see if they can counter claim against the appliance manufacturer.

http://www.hawkins.biz/contact-us/index.asp

As other posters have mentioned you would need to prove your landlord was liable eg he was negligent. Often these types of fires are just accidents with no one to blame, it could however be the appliance had an inherent fault (Try googling the appliance make and model and the word fire)

bmhr

I read the instructions on how to turn it on and check the filter etc.

Whether I left the dryer unattended would that make any difference? If I had not left the property the fire still would have happened, perhaps I may have been able to put it out or at least stop it from damaging my belongings etc. But then again it could have seriously injured me and I wouldn’t have been able to.

I did not misuse the dryer so I don't believe I should be liable for the damage to the property itself. But as I left the appliance unattended, that negligent act resulted in the loss of my belongings.. as I could have closed my door.. So I suppose can’t really claim for my losses

Southend1

bmhr wrote: »

I read the instructions on how to turn it on and check the filter etc.

Whether I left the dryer unattended would that make any difference? If I had not left the property the fire still would have happened, perhaps I may have been able to put it out or at least stop it from damaging my belongings etc. But then again it could have seriously injured me and I wouldn’t have been able to.

I did not misuse the dryer so I don't believe I should be liable for the damage to the property itself. But as I left the appliance unattended, that negligent act resulted in the loss of my belongings.. as I could have closed my door.. So I suppose can’t really claim for my losses

The negligent act of leaving the dryer unattended caused the landlord's property to burn down, so you should be held liable for the cost of reinstatement IMO.

HapPea

Does your tenancy agreement say anything about leaving appliances unattended?

When I was renting there was a clause saying I should not leave the washer unattended. That was probably more to do with flooding, but if there is a clause your LL might have a claim against you (though not sure how that clause might be viewed by a court)

dodger1

What is your LL saying about this? Is he/she blaming you?