Elderly woman's lucky escape after washing machine blows up
An elderly woman has been treated in hospital after her Samsung washing machine blew up in her Sydney flat.
More than 200 machines have caught fire or exploded in the past few years.
Fair Trading officials are checking to see if 86-year-old Fusun Imer’s model was included in a mandatory government recall last year.
She was frail and upset after the incident, having been home alone when the washing machine exploded, nearly killing her.
It burned fiercely, filling her Auburn apartment with choking smoke.
Last July, the government recalled six Samsung top loader models that posed a fire risk.
Ms Imur's family said the motor had burned out in her machine before the recall and they had it replaced.
It's not clear what model her machine was but it is clear that she had a lucky escape, in part due to the help of her neighbours.
While several people came to her rescue, Ms Imur refused to leave while she tried to save her most valuable possessions.
She and a neighbour were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation and have since been released.
In a statement, the Minister for Regulation said it was a 'powerful reminder' for Samsung owners to "check the model numbers of their Samsung top loader washing machines".
A Samsung spokeswoman said customers should check their website for details on the recall.
News break – August 14
