Mum left terrified after air fryer suddenly bursts into flames

A woman has been left counting her blessings after she spotted an air fryer fire that 'could have been far, far worse'.

Rebecca Sim, from Prestwich, Manchester, said she noticed flames flickering on the appliance and chucked it outside before it had chance to engulf her kitchen.

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The mum-of-two said the blaze quickly escalated into an 'inferno' and she considers herself lucky that she didn't leave it unattended as she cooked her bacon.

"I was really shocked," the retired teacher said.

"I bought the air fryer for my daughter Isobel when she was at Liverpool University and she would cook in it and leave it when she was washing her hair.

"Thank God I didn't leave it - it could have burnt the kitchen down."

Rebecca, who has multiple sclerosis, said she had thoroughly cleaned the one-year-old Tower appliance before using it and the fire came as a total surprise.

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"So many people have now got air fryers, and so many of my friends have got one," she said.

"They all say they often leave it cooking while they go and do something. It is very simple to use and it had been thoroughly cleaned, so I wasn't expecting it.

"It was a really nasty experience that could have been far, far worse without my quick-thinking. I know that with the cost of living crisis many people are trying to reduce costs and have bought air fryers."

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She added: "When I removed the tea towel I saw smoke and the beginnings of what looked like flames in the base of the fryer.

"I have multiple sclerosis and I am not that fast or strong so with much difficulty I picked it up and threw it out the back door where it turned into an inferno.

"I was just shocked - I was thinking: 'What if that had been my daughter?'

"I couldn't believe how quickly it burnt up and there was so much noise. It was really shocking."

The manufacturer said it plans to investigate the cause of the fire.

A spokesperson for Tower said: "The consumer involved contacted us on Wednesday (4 January) regarding her experience.

"Whilst we are pleased that Rebecca is OK we are reaching out to her seeking to obtain the air fryer so an investigation can be carried out.

"The safety of our products is of the upmost importance to Tower and a thorough investigation will help us to understand the circumstances."