The Fire Service is urging the public to check the model number on Samsung washing machines, after a spate of fires across the country.
Samsung issued a recall on four models around three years ago, citing the machines posed a fire risk. At the time, there were thought to be 4000 machines unaccounted for.
The latest fire occurred on Monday in Otaki, after one of the faulty top-loaders burst into flames.
Prior to that incident, other machines had met the same fate in Ponsonby, Invercargill, Masterton, Runanga, Otorohanga and Pukekohe.
National manager of fire investigations Peter Wilding believes around 88 percent of the problem machines have been accounted for, but there are still a number at large.
"We are concerned that people might be exposed to a fire, particularly when we know that they are very likely to occur in a product that has had a recall out for a number of years.
"The key is, if you've got a Samsung washing machine; know the model number to look for."
Samsung has since released a statement regarding the Otaki incident, apologising and offering support to the victims.
The models affected are:
If you have a model that is affected and want to arrange a rework, refund or replacement go to the Samsung website or call 0800 855 502.
Newshub.
