CLOTHING covered in cooking oil spontaneously combusted in a dryer at a local laundromat on Saturday evening, sparking a fire that caused more than $25,000 damage.
Mount Gambier Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) firefighters responded swiftly at the premises on Commercial Street East at around 6.15pm after receiving several 000 calls.
Two MFS units carrying around nine firefighters attended the scene to find a fire that had started in a dryer.
The MFS said two firefighters with breathing apparatus were required to extinguish the blaze.
“Two firefighters in breathing apparatus, with a high pressure line and a carbon dioxide extinguisher, were able to extinguish the fire in five minutes,” an MFS spokesperson said.
“MFS crews then spent 30 minutes ventilating the laundromat.”
Firefighters stopped the blaze from causing any further damage to adjoining building.
“Crews prevented the fire from spreading to the adjoining bank, gym and cafe,” an MFS spokesperson said.
The fire was caused by a person attempting to dry clothes that had cooking oil on them.
“Damage was estimated at around $25,000 and was caused by clothes and rags that had cooking oil on them that were washed and then placed in the dryer before spontaneously combusting,” an MFS spokesperson said.
The MFS warned clothes with cooking oil will spontaneously combust if heated in a dryer.
“If there is something smoking in your dryer, leave the dryer door shut and call the MFS,” an MFS spokesperson said.
