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Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

House fire

We were woken at 3am today by our smoke alarms going off. There was a fire in the downstairs flat, caused by the electric extractor fan in their bathroom catching fire and setting their ceiling alight. The fireman told us that this happens with these fans 'all the time'!

The fire brigade arrived very quickly and put the fire out. Thank God everyone is OK, just have a very stinky flat (despite doors and windows open since) and shattered nerves to deal with now.

I'm posting this to give two messages:

1) For God's sake make sure you have smoke alarms, and make sure thy are working. I dread to think what would've happened had we not been woken by ours.

2) if you have an electric extractor fan (apparently was the type that comes on when you switch on the light and remains on, on a timer for a few minutes after), please get it checked out.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on August 30, 2013 at 7:41
What a terrible experience. Glad that everyone is ok and thanks for the good advice.
Permalink Reply by Lauren on August 30, 2013 at 10:00
I've heard of this too! I've got one and I'm a bit worried now :-/
Permalink Reply by Lesley G on August 30, 2013 at 12:42
Have spoken to our downstairs neighbours and apparently the firemen said it was probably due to a build up of dust in the fan, so I would get yours checked out Lauren. And make sure your smoke alarms are working, could save your life!
Permalink Reply by Lauren on August 30, 2013 at 12:52

Thanks Lesley! Luckily I noticed a huge build-up of fluff on mine when I moved in and got my boyfriend up his ladder to clean it all out! He also put new smoke alarms in for me. I worked for years in a Health & Safety-heavy industry which has made me a bit cautious!

Permalink Reply by Alison P on August 30, 2013 at 16:20

Glad you're all okay. We have two of these fans, will check them today. Thank goodness for smoke alarms..

Permalink Reply by Lesley G on August 30, 2013 at 17:54
Thanks Alison.

Please do check your fans and never leave one on if you're sleeping or going out.

Smoke alarms are life savers, literally! :-)
2o21fske2ygv0Permalink Reply by 2o21fske2ygv0 on August 30, 2013 at 21:37

Dust is a common problem will all types of extractor fan. A can of compressed air is a reasonably easy method of getting rid of the worst of it. Run the fan and spray the air in there to blast off the dust. If you are feeling more adventurous. Turn off the circuit, pen the cover and then give it a good clean out with the compressed air and a hoover.

The dust accumulates around the 240v - 12v transformer which gets warm in use.

Permalink Reply by EMC2 on September 6, 2013 at 16:40

And I saw three fire engines on Alexandra Road earlier this week putting out a house fire...

Permalink Reply by Lesley G on September 6, 2013 at 16:58
Hi Eugene :-)

Yes, there seems to be a lot of it about, plus there was another small fire mid week in our road, (Hornsey Park Road). Luckily no-one was hurt there either apparently.

Lesley

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