A smoky dryer fire displaced two residents of a house in the 27000 block of Military Road South on Kent’s West Hill.
At about 7 p.m. Thursday, one of the residents noticed smoke coming from the dryer while drying clothes, according to a Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority media release.
The man opened the dryer to see what was going on and found the clothes were burning. He also saw dark smoke coming from under the dryer and saw flames under the dryer. He left the house and called 911.
The first arriving fire department emergency unit reported smoke and flames from the house were visible and made a quick attack on the fire. Firefighters extinguished the fire within minutes. Crews searched for fire extension in the attic and walls but no hidden fire was found.
Investiagors determined the cause of the fire to be a mechanical problem with the clothes dryer. Fire damage to the residence was limited to the kitchen/laundry room area with smoke, heat and water damage throughout the rest of the structure. Damages were estimated at $75,000.
The two residents are receiving housing and other assistance through the American Red Cross. No injuries to residents or firefighters were reported.
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