Content article
Fire crews were able to contain a Tuesday evening fire at the Westown Laundromat in Wallaceburg.
Content article
Firefighters from Station No. 3 Wallaceburg were first on the scene after receiving reports of smoke inside the building, a Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services media release said.
The business owner and customers, who were in the Dufferin Avenue laundromat at the time, were alerted when they saw smoke billowing from some clothes dryers.
When firefighters arrived, they could see smoke and flames coming from the roof of the building, fire officials said.
“ Firefighters quickly made entry into the building to pull ceilings and gain access to the fire while firefighters worked on the rooftop opening vents. ”
Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the dryer section of the laundromat, including the interior wall and ceilings, fire department officials said.
Crews remained on scene until 7:30 pm, checking for hotspots and further extension on the roof.
No injuries were reported while damage was estimated at $ 175,000. The cause of the fire was rule accidental, fire officials said.
A leading cause of dryer fires in homes is a lack of proper dryer maintenance, the fire department release said. Homeowners were reminded to inspect and clean the lint screen after each load of laundry.
The buildup of lint can lead to a fire, fire department officials said ..
The fire department also recommended regularly removing lint from metal ducts and exhaust vents.
The inside of the dryer cabinet should be cleaned as per the manufacturer’s instructions, the release added. Regularly inspect the air exhaust to ensure it is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer is operating.