MOUNT Gambier Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) firefighters responded swiftly to extinguish a dryer fire at a local laundromat after receiving several 000 calls on Friday morning.
At around 11.15am, two MFS units responded to the premises on Penola Road and witnessed a small amount of smoke on arrival.
A gas-driven dryer had spontaneously combusted starting a small fire in the unit.
Two firefighters using breathing apparatus entered the building with a high pressure hose and extinguished the blaze in seven minutes.
Mount Gambier MFS station officer Jason Draper said the fire was contained to one dryer with the total damage bill amounting to around $12,000.
Ambulance services also attended the scene, however no one was injured in the blaze.
“Luckily everyone had evacuated before we arrived so no one was injured and we were able to extinguish the fire without incident,” Mr Draper said.
Mr Draper said precautions could prevent a similar incident in the future.
“If people are washing towels or linen that contain any oil, such as cooking oil, the risk of a fire can be reduced by using lots of detergent and washing the materials in hot water,” Mr Draper said.
“It is also important to allow the dryer to complete its cooling cycle before folding or stacking the materials.”
