Coroner calls for tumble dryer sales ban following fatal house fire

LONDON, Oct 20 (OPA) — Senior coroner Martin Fleming issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report calling for an urgent safety review of the DX C10DCER-80 Hoover condenser tumble dryer. The recommendation follows the deaths of Sohaib Ahmed and his daughter, Manahal, who died from smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at their home in Heckmondwike on June 8, 2025. Another child survived the incident after receiving extensive hospital treatment.

Evidence presented at the inquest indicated that the fire likely originated in the kitchen from the appliance. Mr. Fleming warned that approximately 1.6 million Hoover and Candy branded dryers currently in UK homes may share similar design characteristics. Experts noted that the specific model is prone to burning almost completely during a fire, which complicates efforts to identify the exact electrical fault, such as tracking, relay failure, or defective solder joints.

The Office for Product & Safety Standards (OPSS) confirmed it has received numerous fire notifications regarding the model. While the manufacturer, Haier Smart Home UK & I Limited, stated that production of the Infinity platform models ceased in early 2022, the coroner remains concerned about the potential for remaining stock in the secondary market. The OPSS has requested that Haier conduct a comprehensive root cause analysis into the appliance's safety profile.

Haier UK maintains that there is no elevated safety risk associated with the model and has declined to halt sales, citing a lack of evidence for systemic failure. The company stated that it has not identified other confirmed safety incidents involving this specific unit. Despite the manufacturer's stance, the coroner’s report emphasizes that without further investigation into the product's safety implications, the risk of future fatalities remains a significant concern for the public.