Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging people with older Samsung washing machines to check their model numbers after one caught fire in a home last month.
Samsung recalled four top-loader models about a decade ago due to fire risk. More than 96 percent of the recalled products were either repaired, replaced or refunded, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said.
However, one of the faulty top loaders burst into flames in Auckland on September 25. Luckily, no significant damage was caused and smoke alarms prevented "what could have been a much worse outcome", said FENZ Counties Manukau community risk manager Thomas Harre.
MBIE consumer services national manager Simon Gallagher said although a high number of the problem machines were accounted for, he urged anyone with a Samsung top loader built between 2010 and 2013 to make sure it's not one of the affected models.
"If it is, they should get in touch with Samsung," Gallagher said in a statement.
The affected model numbers were SW75V9WIP, SW65V9WIP, SW80SPWIP and SW70SPWIP.
