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[wagirl]

Geez--what a way to start a new week!! I am in an apartment and my dishwasher caught fire, Sunday night, with black smoke pouring out of it, filling my small apartment with that awful electronic burning smell!! Had to call the fire dept as it was just billowing out around !! Threw my cat in my bedroom and shut the doors then stood under the smoke detector with a fan over my head so that noise wouldn't blast the place out!! The guys came and pulled the d/w out --- there was a scorch mark the size of a dinner plate on the floor and the wires were fried as well as a few other things. And it still smells this a.m.--- I got all the fans blowing with the slider door open--- And let me tell you--my 13 year cat is THE worst room mate EVER!! 

Noticed that the cabinets in my tiny kitchen all have soot on them too---yes, I am grateful things are ok-- but I sometimes wash my dishes at night when I sleep and also wash them when I'm not home---not going to do either of those things ever again--just thinking about the --what if's --makes my stomach hurt!!!

Yikes!!!!

[Janey2]

I was told a long time ago never to leave an appliance running while sleeping or out. You are ok and that is all that matters. Everything else is not important.

[drizzellla]

@wagirl So glad that you were home and awake. And now you have to deal with the smell and repair. Guess the dishwasher will be replaced by the apartment owner.

I always run the dishwasher right before I go to bed. Your experience makes me rethink that routine.

Scary thing to live through, so glad you both lived through it with minor damage. Too bad your cat isn't a better roomate. But I am sure the experience was scary for the cat too.

Fires are so scary and FAST. 

[ValuSkr]

I'm glad you're okay.  I don't leave any appliance running while I'm asleep or not at home - including dish washer, clothes washer and dryer, oven, crockpot, etc. 

I can relate to your standing under the smoke detector with a fan!  I live in a condo and hate false alarms.  They scare the heck out of me, but I'm afraid of what the neighbors will think as they can certainly hear it.  I scramble to get a stepladder so I can silence the offending alarm, even unplugging it while I figure out what caused it to go off in the first place.

[kaydee50]

Happy to hear that alls well.  But I never run appliances unless I'm in the apartment and awake.  That goes for washers/dryers/dishwashers.  

[Redshoes07]

Glad to hear you or your cat weren't injured in the fire. I have a dishwasher but don't use it. I find it quicker to just wash the dishes by hand.

[Imaoldhippie]

Wow what a nasty experience.  Soot is very hard to clean because it smears.  I think you should try that new Pooph spray to get rid of the smell.  If you havent already Google cleaner for soot residue.  Good luck.

Glad you and your cat are A ok.

[sann]

I never go to bed or leave home with a dishwasher, washer or dryer running ever..that goes for anything that might be cooking in the oven...

[KBEANS]

I don't think @wagirl said she was out or sleeping last night. regardless, this can happen with any appliance, including a refrigerator which runs when you are  sleeping, up, in, or out.

My sisters refrigerator went on fire. It was a new Kitchen Aid and the insurance allowed her to receive a new one of her choice. she didn't take another Kitchen Aid.

As for an apartment complex replacing it; we are responsible for all the appliances in our place. They do not provide any to the residents.

Just glad to hear you and the kitty are fine. 🤗 

[Kachina624]

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@Imaoldhippie wrote:

Wow what a nasty experience.  Soot is very hard to clean because it smears.  I think you should try that new Pooph spray to get rid of the smell.  If you havent already Google cleaner for soot residue.  Good luck.

Glad you and your cat are A ok.

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@Imaoldhippie    Actually the soot can have a greasy quality to it and can even get into bedroom dresser drawers as well as coat everything in the living areas.  Best to add a degreaser to the wash water.