A FIRE service warning has been issued to Whirlpool customers after concerns were raised about the safety of the company’s tumble dryers.

It follows an announcement by manufacturers Whirlpool, who own Hotpoint, Creda and Indesit, that their machines are potentially dangerous and ought to be unplugged until they have been repaired.

A spokesman for Whirlpool said: “We are activating an extensive consumer outreach and service action plan in order to provide our consumers with products that are updated to higher safety and quality standards.

“We will arrange a visit from an engineer, free of charge, to modify the appliances. The service call will take approximately one hour. The improvements we believe are necessary will further enhance the safety and quality of the dryers.”

Last April, Antonia Holland, from Abbeymeads, took delivery of a Hotpoint tumble dryer just hours before the machine went up in flames.

Antonia reported thick black smoke billowing out of the dryer, which caused her to run out of the room in a blind panic.

A month earlier, a product recall notice was issued for Hotpoint, Indesit, Creda, Swan and Proline brand condenser and vented tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015.

Antonia has since been problem-free, but only because she has changed her brand of tumble dryer, opting instead for a Beko model.

She said: “I’ve changed my dryer and I’m definitely not getting another one from them.”

Despite the fact that customers are set to receive a visit from an engineer, Antonia remains unconvinced.

“They think it will solve the problem, but that’s very unlikely,” she said.

“Ours was meant to have been upgraded but it didn’t stop it bursting into flames. People will think the problem has been fixed when, in reality, it hasn’t.”

A Whirlpool spokesman added: “Trading Standards confirmed, following an internal review by independent experts, that the modification programme remains the most effective way of resolving this issue.

“As a result, we will continue with our efforts to provide consumers with a free of charge modification as quickly as possible.”

A spokesman for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “A potential concern has been identified with two types of tumble dryers manufactured between April 2004 and September 2015. In some rare cases, excess fluff can come into contact with the heating element and present a risk of fire.

“The affected brands are Hotpoint, Indesit and Creda. Whirlpool branded tumble dryers are not affected by this safety notice.

“If your tumble dryer is affected by this issue, you should unplug it and do not use it until the modification has taken place.”

The fire service advised members of the public to clean the filter and check the vent pipe if they notice any of the signs and to never run the washing machine or tumble drier overnight.

Safety tips include reading and following the manufacturer’s instructions before using your dryer, never leaving the appliance unattended or running overnight.

Users are advised never to put rags or materials into a tumble dryer if they have been used to soak up flammable liquids and dryers should always be kept well ventilated with the vent always uncovered.