SAFD Investigating After Washing Machine Catches Fire

According to a KSAT News report, a washing machine mysteriously caught fire overnight on November 13, 2023.

SAFD reported the fire was called in at around 12:30 a.m. on the 300 Block of Knight Robin, near Eisenhauer Road and Harry Wurzbach Road on the Northeast Side. When officials arrived, they were able to put the fire out quickly, with no injuries or damage to the home. But, they were confused about how it started and are continuing to investigate to determine the cause.

Did You Know?

House fires cause an average of 2,620 civilian deaths each year, with smoke inhalation being the leading cause of house fire deaths.

How Faulty Household Appliances Cause Serious Injuries in San Antonio

In general, following manufacturer recommendations and common sense safety practices when using home appliances will keep you safe from injury. But, when those appliances come with a design flaw or manufactured defect, even the most careful individuals can be seriously hurt or lose their homes as a result.

Let’s look at how major home appliances cause injury and what to do if a defective product in San Antonio hurts you or your family.

Injuries from Washers and Dryers

Most of the time, washers and dryers malfunction and cause injuries because they were not properly installed or maintained. But, design flaws and manufacturing errors can lead to malfunctioning parts even when they are properly installed, like:

• Faulty Lint Collectors — Lint collectors that are poorly designed can become warped and leave excess lint, increasing the risk of fire.
• Faulty Dryer Ducts — Warped or faulty dryer ducts can also cause lint build-up, which increases the risk of a home fire.
• Manufacturing Flaws — Perfectly functioning parts that are not manufactured correctly can cause electrical issues and other malfunctions.

These faulty appliances can cause severe electrical and contact burn injuries.

Injuries from Stoves and Ovens

Kitchens are prime areas for house fires, with cooking being the leading cause of house fires in the United States. Using stove tops and ovens is dangerous enough without adding defective parts into the mix. Defective heating elements and other manufacturing flaws in stoves and ovens can cause injuries like:

• Contact Burns — Sudden sparking or flames can cause contact burns ranging from 1st to 3rd degree and are especially dangerous to children.
• Inhalation Burns/Injuries — Faulty heating elements in ovens can emit carbon monoxide fumes, leading to suffocation and other illnesses to the residents.

What to Do If a Defective Appliances Injures You

Defective products may be rare, but they happen more often than you think. There were 15 million defective units recalled between 2007 and 2012, according to Consumer Reports data.

Companies have a responsibility in America to make safe products that won’t harm their consumers with reasonable caution. If a defective product hurts you or your family, you need to talk to an attorney about your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for injuries and property damage if you were hurt by a product with a design or manufacturing flaw.

Injured by a Defective Appliance? Call Carabin Shaw

You may be entitled to compensation if a defective product injures you. Our defective product attorneys in San Antonio can help you determine your legal options free of charge. Call us today at 800-862-1260 to get your case evaluated and to find out what options are available to you. We look forward to serving you.

Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.

¹KSAT News Report

²House Fire Statistics (Zebra)

³Consumer Reports Data