A heartbroken Kansas woman has taken to social media to share an important message following a house fire that’s left her family-of-four temporarily displaced.
Simone Anderson, 29, shared a video on TikTok (@simonepatrice_) showing what was left of her kitchen after her dishwasher went up in flames on August 7, 2024. Anderson never imagined something like this could happen to her family, but now that they’re without a home for a few months, she shared her story to warn others to “not run your dishwasher at night.”
The mom-of-two from Topeka told Newsweek that on the night of the fire, she had put the dishwasher on before going to bed—she’d always done that as part of her evening routine. But at 1:22 a.m., she woke up to the sound of the fire alarm going off and the smell of smoke in the air.
She said: “I immediately woke up my husband, Paul, who ran downstairs to investigate and he found our entire dishwasher engulfed in flames. He ran upstairs to tell me that we needed to get the kids and get out, so that’s what we did.”
@simonepatrice_ / TikTok
By 1:25 a.m., the family were safely outside, and just two minutes later the “house was full of smoke,” Anderson recalls.
It’s thought the dishwasher, that was in the property before Anderson and her family moved in, was around 10 years old. Newsweek contacted manufacturer Electrolux regarding the incident, but they declined to comment.
An investigation by the local fire department revealed fraying of the wires deep within the dishwasher, according to Anderson.
She continued: “It’s a total loss and our entire kitchen will have to be redone. Every item inside the house is covered in soot, so everything is being packed up by a restoration company who will clean what can be salvaged and help us decide what to keep.
“Losing everything and not being able to be in our home is devastating. I’m thinking of all the holidays and birthdays that are coming up, and it makes me sad that we likely won’t be in our home for any of them.”
There’s no telling how long Anderson, her husband, and their two children, Nola, 4, and Ansel, 1, will be out of their home. She estimates that it could be around six months, but it may be longer. As soon as the house is habitable, they plan on moving back and starting again.
Anderson shared their story on social media to urge people not to use their dishwasher at night, which is a sentiment that’s echoed by head electrician at RCG Electrical, Ryan Gregor. He says that appliance fires are uncommon, but they can happen, and running appliances overnight increases the risk because they’re unattended.
“I’ve seen firsthand the potential hazards that can lurk in our homes and it’s crucial to be mindful of them,” Gregor told Newsweek. “Factors such as the appliance’s age, condition, and the overall electrical system can contribute to these risks.
“Remember, dishwashers, like any appliance, have a life span. Regular checks and maintenance are essential. I recommend regular appliance inspections, proper ventilation, and avoiding overloading electrical circuits.”
He also notes that smoke alarms “are a must” because they act as an early warning system during an emergency.
Spreading The Message on Social Media
Anderson’s video has generated more than 1.4 million views and over 43,600 likes in a week.
Alongside the clip, she wrote in the caption: “We are devastated. Please pray for my family. Check your smoke detectors. Don’t run appliances at night. It’s not worth the risk.”
Anderson once thought it was far-fetched for people to avoid using appliances overnight in case of fire. But now she says that is “far from dramatic” and could save lives.
She told Newsweek: “I wanted to share this story to warn people. Make sure your smoke detectors work and change the batteries. Don’t run appliances like dishwashers, washers, or dryers at night while asleep. It’s not worth it.”
Anderson has been heartened by the overwhelmingly positive reaction online, as many TikTokers thanked her for raising awareness of such an important issue.
“Thousands of people said they won’t run the dishwasher, washer, or dryer at night or while they’re away from home,” Anderson continued. “Other people also said they’re going to change their smoke detector batteries, so I feel like I did my job by sharing.”
Anderson’s post has gained over 1,600 comments on TikTok.
One reads: “Thanks to your video I finally replaced my smoke detector batteries, which I was procrastinating for a few days. So: thank you.”
Another TikTok user wrote: “I’m SO sorry Simone. I run my dishwasher every single night and never will again. Sending your family SO much love & prayers.”
A different person commented: “This happened to me in January but the dryer. Lost everything. Praying for you.”
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