Tumble Dryer Blaze Destroys Family's Uninsured Possessions

A family returned home from a trip to the supermarket to discover a tumble dryer fire had destroyed their possessions and killed their two cats.

Alan Beal and partner Nikki Coop, from Bolton, did not have contents insurance and say they have 'lost 99 per cent' of their belongings in the blaze.

The fire happened when nobody was at home, aside from their cats Smokey and Fluffy, and is believed to have been started by a faulty 10-year-old tumble dryer.

Mr Beal had loaded the dryer while he made a quick trip to the supermarket. On his return he found the house ablaze and the fire service in attendance after a neighbour dialled 999.

As well as the emotional impact of the fire, the family is also counting the financial cost of the damage. Mr Beal said:

"We have lost everything, we were not contents insured, so we have lost pretty much everything in the house. I can't even put a financial figure on it at this point.

"99 per cent of the contents are just ruined, things in boxes and drawers are the only things that weren't damaged - all our clothes, all my daughter and son's toys have been ruined by the smoke and heat."

If your health has suffered due to a dangerous or defective product, you may be entitled to compensation. Call our team on 01204 526 465 to find out if you might have a claim.

HSK Solicitors

Defective Product Compensation