Dryer Catches Fire in Murrieta Home

It was a close call for some Murrieta residents Monday when their clothes dryer caught fire.

Murrieta Fire Department was dispatched a 911 call at 6:13 p.m., advising that a dryer had caught fire at a home in the 23800 block of Jonathan Place.

Firefighters responded to the home within six minutes and were able to extinguish the fire and prevent its spread to the rest of the home, said Murrieta Fire Chief Matt Shobert.

Shobert said the fire started in the dryer, which was located in the laundry room of the home. The fire crew had to poke some holes in the ceiling of the laundry room to ensure flames hadn't spread to the attic area, he said.

He said the incident turned out to be "relatively minor" due to the quick response of the fire department and its strategic locations throughout the city.

"In theory, fires double in size every one minute," Shobert said.

He reminded residents to clean out their dryer filter every several months, and to be sure nothing is obstructing the dryer vent.

In another incident that turned out to be minor, a floor lamp caught fire late Thursday evening, July 7, at the Waterstone Apartments. That fire was caused when the lamp overheated.

Residents were evacuated until fire crews could be certain there was no danger of smoke inhalation.