Fire officials are issuing a warning to the public about the dangers of unmaintained clothes dryers after a house fire claimed the lives of two family pets in Chatham.
Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue said firefighters responded to the blaze at 20 Churchill Park Rd. just before 10 p.m. on Friday to find heavy smoke coming from the home.
While the homeowners were able to make it out of the home, fire crews were told that a pair of dogs were still inside on the upper level.
Firefighters quickly located and extinguished the blaze that had started in the basement dryer. The two dogs were then located during a search of the home, but they could not be resuscitated.
The homeowners were taken to hospital by EMS to be treated for smoke inhalation.
Damage to the home is estimated at around $100,000.
Fire officials said a leading cause of dryer fires in homes is a lack of maintenance. Local residents are reminded to clean the lint screen after each load of laundry and regularly remove lint from metal ducts and exhaust vents. As well, homeowners should regularly inspect the air exhaust to ensure it is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap opens when the dryer is operating.
