Whirlpool urgently recalls 500,000 tumble dryers over fears of fire risk

Half a million Whirlpool tumble dryers have been urgently recalled due to fire safety concerns, and Whirlpool asks users to unplug dryers immediately.

Whirlpool recall faulty tumble dryers after causing 750 fires in users homes over a period of 11 years.

The recall comes four years after Whirlpool identified a design fault in their tumble dryers. Speaking to the BBC, vice-president Jeff Noel has apologised 'for putting our customers through hardship', following the recall.

In 2015, Whirlpool identified that fluff from clothing that accumulates around the drum seal can catch onto the heating element inside the machine and potentially cause a fire.

Whirlpool issues a safety warning estimating that five million dryers had been sold in the UK.

A spokesman for Whirlpool said: ‘Safety is our number one priority and we remain committed to resolving any affected tumble dryers that have not yet been modified.

‘The crucial message to anyone who still owns an affected dryer and has not already had it modified by Whirlpool is to contact us immediately on 0800 151 0905.

‘In the meantime, anyone with an affected dryer that has not been modified should unplug it and not use it until the modification has been completed.’

Though, Business Minister Jelly Tolhurst announced yesterday plans to make Whirlpool recall all faulty appliances emphasising the safety concerns of users.

She said: ‘We have informed Whirlpool of our intention to serve a recall notice as a next step of the regulatory process.

‘This is unprecedented action.’

Concerns have been raised regarding the government’s slow response to the fires safety risk.

Chairman of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee Rachel Reeves said: ‘Finally, over a year since we called for a recall of defective machines and 18 months since the BEIS Committee reported on Whirlpool’s inadequate response to safety flaws, the Government is at last showing some teeth and taking long overdue action on Whirlpool.’

Users and fire fighters have taken to social media to share their concerns and urge people to check their tumble dryers immediately.

One user wrote: ‘I cleaned mine all the time. It exploded two days after it was ‘fixed’ under warranty by a whirlpool engineer. It destroyed my house two weeks before Christmas and 7 months after the fire we’re still not back in our home.’

Whirlpool is advising anyone owning an affected machine to contact them on 08001510905.