Microwave Kitchen Fire

[pardes]

The smoke detector went off a little while ago. They've all been beeping lately since they are all coming due to change the batteries which I've found is impossible because you can't get them apart without breaking them. Only one was still functional and buying new ones was on my list for this week. If it hadn't rained today, I would have had them today on my shopping run.

Anyway, this alarm sounded real so I ventured into the kitchen to see the room full of smoke and a fire on the gas stove just below the microwave.

I put the fire out, it wasn't too big but I could not turn off the microwave. None of the off buttons would work. I couldn't even turn the fan off! The fan was blowing the light was on but the timer wasn't timing. It just kept running no matter what I did. Thank God I remembered that the plug was inside the cabinets above the microwave and finally managed to unplug it which turned it off. And thank God it wasn't hard-wired into a electrical line that I couldn't get to to disconnect.

I hadn't used the microwave for hours and then just to heat water for coffee. I hadn't used the gas stove for over a day.

I searched on the web for "microwave fire" and found more than one reference to the GE Spacemaster catching on fire even when it wasn't running. I couldn't believe how many posts mentioned that.

Still I can't say for certain that is what it was. It could have been my German Shepherd who I sometimes catch with her paws on the counter who accidentally turned on a burner but these are safety burners and have to be pushed in before being turned so that it releases gas to ignite. I can't tell because when I came into the kitchen, the first thing I did was madly start cranking the burners but I did not notice a burner being on but a small fire was burning just below the microwave. So I can't say but I tell you it scared the you know what out of me.

After reading of the warnings about the same model microwave, I of course won't ever use it again. I'll replace it. But just to be safe and be able to sleep at night and not worry when I'm away from home, the dog will be locked in a bedroom when I'm away.

Oh, and I'll also be buying several brand new smoke detectors with fresh batters and the kind of smoke detector that you can actually take apart and get it back together again without breaking it.

Phew, the adrenalin is still pumping. It will be a while before I can sleep.

You see my previous house on this lot burned down while I was at church about six years ago. It was an old 1950's ranch house and the fire was in the wiring in the attic. I came home to see fire engines and started running toward the house to rescue my dogs but was grabbed by the firemen. The house was a total loss. The only thing I rescued was my car since I was away.

And God bless the backyard neighbor and the firemen. The neighbor kicked in the back door and the firemen kicked in the front door. All my dogs were rescued. They had no hair and spent a week in the vet hospital but they survived.

I an thankful today for so many things. Being able to share this scary story with you is one of them and it's very high on the list.

Check your smoke detectors. Check your microwave and appliance before you leave for the day. Let's all be safe to ride our bikes another day.

[fidlfreek]

Wow. What an awful thing!!! Especially to have that *almost* happen a 2nd time.

[lph]

ahrk! terrifying So glad you're ok.

[Grog]

Wow! That's awful! I'm glad you're okay though.

A fire is the one thing I would really have a hard time getting over. It must have been though for you back then.

[pardes]

Thanks folks. I appreciate the comments.

I've been obsessively reading smoke alarm reviews and just ordered overnight shipment of 3 from Amazon. Phew. Now maybe I can go to sleep.

Thanks again folks.

[Mr. Bloom]

Wow! Glad you're OK.

Our systems are designed to run the exhaust fan when excessive heat or smoke is sensed (personally, it seems to me that this could fan the flames). But, I'm puzzled - what precisely was burning? Was it something on the stove or a part of the unit itself? Is it possible that the oven was in a self clean cycle? Is there any grease build up that may have ignited either inside the stove top or within the fan filters?

[Tuckervill]

First thing I did was look at my microwave--it's a Frigidaire, thank goodness!

I would not be concerned about anything on the stove causing the fire, since the microwave was acting so strange. There's no reason for it not to turn off unless there is an electrical problem! My microwave has a filter on the bottom, and I'd guess that was what was on fire, having burned away from its holder onto the stove.

I'm glad you were home to stop the fire. Sorry to hear about that happening to you the first time. It's one of my greatest fears, a fire. One of my husband's ex-employees was not so lucky on Friday, we learned. Her house burned in the night and she went back in to save her dog, and she perished. Unfortunately, she lived alone, had no children, no other close relatives, and they were unable to identify her. We knew it was her house from the picture in the paper on Saturday, so my husband has the grim task of looking in his records for emergency contacts and getting that information to the police. He tried yesterday, but no one in the police department would take the information until the right person comes in this morning.

Check your batteries, everyone! Make sure one of your neighbors has a phone number or SOMETHING.

Karen

[pardes]

Thanks Mr. Silver and Karen! Yes, it had to be an electrical problem. Several of the warning reviews from users was that you COULDN'T turn it off without unplugging it. Really scary to see a machine do something like that.

Karen that is wretched about that poor woman who perished. I work at the Medical Examiner's and we see this kind of terrible thing every day but you NEVER get used to it.

Ever since the major house fire, I've been pretty OCD about leaving the house. I must check things a dozen times and even though I KNOW I've checked things, I can't tell you how many times I'd stop a block away and come back and check things again. I even do it on the bike!

I'll be happy to get home tonight and confirm that the girls are safe and sound for another day.

[deeaimond]

Oh dear..., Karen... that is so tragic.

Padre, thank goodness you're safe and sound.

When i first went to the US I was surprised that houses were mostly made of wood. Before I always thought all houses were built of brick and cement like they are here. I can see how much more of a fire-hazard that can be.

[OakLeaf]

wow Pardes, that is really scary. So glad you and the dog are OK... and that you were able to get the fire out and the microwave unplugged without much damage!

[Becky]

Yowza! Glad to hear that you're ok!

I often consider putting in an alarm system for this very reason.....fire monitoring while we're away...

[Tri Girl]

I'm so glad you're OK, Pardes. Very, very scary.

Karen, I'm sorry to hear about the fire that took that poor woman's life.

Fire is indeed one of the things that scares me- whether I'm at home when it starts or not. Scary stuff.

[SouthernBelle]

Oh crap. I have that microwave.

Btw, when they installed it, they told me it wasn't 'code' to hardwire it in.

[Aggie_Ama]

Crap we have the microwave! But I do have an electrician cousin coming for Christmas who likes to help. I might have him take a peek at the wiring to see if any red flags go up. My builder cut any corner they could we are discovering so I wouldn't be surprised. Next house I am going custom and sitting there every freaking day to watch those workers- lol.

[tulip]

Whoa, Pardes, so glad you are okay. What a story! With my kitchen renovation in full swing, I'm sans smoke detectors at the moment. Thanks for the link to the reviews. I'll get some this week. My new micro is not a spacemaker, and the old one I'm using during the renovations is only plugged in when in use.

What was burning--the walls?

It's also important to have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and easily accessible.