COOKING oil on chef's whites was to blame for a fire which broke out in a tumble dryer fire at a laundrette.
Smoke was pouring from The Little Launderette Company in Lowesmoor, near Worcester city centre, after clothing inside a dryer was set alight.
The laundrette's owner said: "It's very frustrating as it could have easily been avoided - there's nothing wrong with our machines.
"A local business who has been using us for some time had been washing and drying bags of chef's clothing covered in flammable cooking oil.
"I saw on CCTV that five full bags were put in the washing machine, then all of those were transferred into one tumble dryer and put on the highest heat.
"It was a massive error, to be honest."
Two fire crews were called to the laundrette at 4.27pm on Tuesday (September 24).
A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: "A quantity of clothing inside a tumble dryer was on fire.
"The clothing was removed and a hosereel jet was used.
"The tumble dryer was isolated.
"There were no casualties and no other emergency services were required."
An onlooker said: "There was a bit of smoke coming out the laundrette's door initially.
"By the time the firefighters arrived there was a hell of a lot of smoke.
"We had to shut our doors and windows there was so much."
The Little Launderette Company's owner added: "The lady who was using the machine saw the clothes smouldering and then they started to smoke.
"So she called the fire service then - and they were excellent.
"Fortunately the problem was contained and we're still open as usual - I checked everything over last night."
The tumble dryer in question and another that it's physically linked to are scheduled to be checked and repaired if necessary.
The owner added: "The fire service didn't say I had to switch them off, but I felt it was the responsible thing to do - it's worth checking them over."
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