Energy type:
Electricity
Event summary:
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) notified WorkSafe Energy Safety of a dehumidifier fire in a garage.
Accident ID:
190601-02
Accident date:
16 May 2019
Site:
Commercial
Environment:
Building
Voltage:
230
Equipment:
Dehumidifier
Accident type:
Fire
Casualty:
Non-fatality
Injury:
No injury
Property damage level:
Restricted to the room containing the equipment
Outcome of investigation:
From the information provided WorkSafe Energy Safety determined that a garage fire occurred following a malfunction in an old dehumidifier left running unattended overnight.
FENZ clearly identified the dehumidifier position as the point of fire origin. The brand and model of the dehumidifier could not be reliably determined. However, the dehumidifier being allegedly in excess of 10 years old, its age was considered to be a factor of the malfunction that caused the fire. Although no structural damage was reported the garage did suffer significant smoke and soot damage.
Given the age of the dehumidifier, WorkSafe Energy Safety considered no further investigation was necessary.
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