A South Somerset pub celebrated its 7th birthday with a fire, leading to emergency service response. Since then, the owners have been sharing fire safety advice online.
At around 9.30am on February 22, 2025, a blaze broke out after a tumble dryer set alight in The Flying Fish Inn, located on Wood Road, Windmill Hill Lane, Ashill, Ilminster.
According to the owners Buddy Love and Kate Giles, the tumble dryer was switched off at the socket at 9.30am as well as turned off at the machine switch when it started smoking and at 11.30am it “burst into flames”.
Kate said: “The forensic investigation has revealed it probably developed a small fire within the machine while it was working and simmered until it finally fully caught alight two hours after.”
Crews from Ilminster Fire Station were called to the scene after the fire was initially reported to the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service.
According to a spokesperson for the fire and rescue service, the tumble dryer was 100 per cent damaged by the fire and there was 10 per cent damage to the surrounding area.
The spokesperson said: “A fire crew from Ilminster were called to the The Flying Fish pub, on Windmill Hill, in Ashill, Ilminster just before 9.30am on Saturday, February 22.
“On arrival crews found the fire, which had been contained to a tumble dryer and the surrounding area, had been put out. The tumble dryer was 100% damaged by the fire and there was 10% damage to the surrounding area. Crews used a thermal imaging camera and gas monitor to investigate, with a hose reel jet standing by.”
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Despite this challenge, the restaurant stayed in operation that day as the fire was contained to the washing up area and the owners have told the Chard and Ilminster News that they are still currently looking for a new tumble dryer.
Ever since the incident, the pub owners have been sharing their fire safety tips online trying to warn the community about “how dangerous your tumble dryer is”.
When asked to share some of their top fire safety tips, Buddy and Kate said: “Never leave tumble dryers on overnight and preferably remove items from inside (even though we switched ours off and opened the hatch it still caught fire).
“Regularly clean the filter. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms.”
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