A family has been left homeless after a fire broke out in a flat on the fourth floor of an 11-storey tower block in Eastwood during the early hours of Monday morning.
Firefighters were summoned to Beaver Tower, located on Mansell Close, at 3.45 am on 14 July. Numerous fire crews from Leigh, Southend, Rayleigh Weir and Basildon were sent to the scene after a tumble dryer caught fire inside an internal balcony area, extending quickly into the lounge.
Station Manager Steve Osborn from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said:
“A tumble dryer had caught fire in an internal balcony and spread to the lounge. Fortunately, the smoke alarm alerted the occupants and they were able to get out and call 999. The incident highlights the importance of having a working smoke alarm to give you and your family an early warning if there is a fire in your home.”
Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire by 4.30 am. Thermal imaging cameras were used to check for any signs of further fire spread within the building.
It has been shown that an accident caused the fire. There were thankfully no reported injuries.
However, the damage was severe. The flat is now uninhabitable due to extensive smoke and fire damage, and the affected family has been forced to seek alternative accommodation.
Station Manager Osborn added:
“Sadly the flat has been left uninhabitable due to the smoke and fire damage. It’s important to make sure you take extra care when using tumble dryers. Don’t use them at night or while unattended, clean the filters after every use and remove items immediately after the cycle has finished.”
Residents of Beaver Tower, built in the 1960s as part of Eastwood’s social housing provision, were said to be “shaken but relieved” that the fire didn’t spread to other flats.
One resident in the block, who asked not to be named, said:
“I woke up to flashing lights of the fire brigade and could smell the smoke. It’s scary to think what could have happened if the fire had spread further.”
Another resident, Ella Alison, said she called 999 after noticing the fire. She told Your Southend:
“I had taken my dog outside for the toilet and I could smell smoke. I looked up and saw the flames and dialled 999 to get the ambulance and fire service here as quickly as possible. There was a lot of screaming from frightened children.”
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with household appliances and the critical role smoke alarms play in home protection.
Fires caused by tumble dryers remain a serious problem across the UK. According to Home Office fire statistics, there are around 600 fires each year linked specifically to tumble dryers. Many are the result of mechanical faults, clogged filters, or running machines unattended – particularly overnight.
Some of the most high-profile appliance recalls in recent years involved tumble dryers, with Whirlpool at the centre of major safety concerns. In 2019, the government ordered a recall of over 500,000 unmodified Whirlpool dryers following a string of fires.
Fire services across the country regularly urge households to:
Clean lint filters after every use
Avoid overloading the dryer
Never run machines while out or asleep
Fortunately, these apartment buildings did not have the same type of cladding as Grenfell, which would have been disastrous.
Tower buildings have been the scene of numerous fires. If they are aware that these monstrosities are dangerous, why do they even construct them?
Tumble dryers are a major fire risk, so please don’t use them at night or when you’re leaving the house. To be honest, the danger is not worth it, and sadly a ton of councils do nothing to ensure the safety of tenants in high-risk blocks, with no communal fire system or sprinklers, and no evac chair or plan in place for disabled tenants either.
High-rise flats shouldn’t exist, and when will our government intervene to put an end to this?
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 