Energy type: 
Electricity
 
Event summary: 
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) notified WorkSafe Energy Safety of a structure fire involving an air fryer, which significantly damages a domestic unit.
 
Accident ID: 
181017-06
 
Accident date: 
13 October 2018
 
Site: 
Domestic
 
Environment: 
Building
 
Voltage: 
230
 
Equipment: 
Grill, toaster, roaster (portable cooking)
 
Accident type: 
Fire
 
Casualty: 
Non-fatality
 
Injury: 
No injury
 
Property damage level: 
Extended to the room and structure containing the equipment
 
Outcome of investigation: 

The report received from FENZ stated that the fire damage was contained to the rear of the unit, which was totally destroyed by fire. The burn patterns and charring depth indicated the fire appeared to have started in the kitchen area. FENZ suspected the cause of the fire was accidental due to unattended use of an air fryer.

The evidence from FENZ was not sufficient for WorkSafe Energy Safety to reach the same conclusion, therefore the cause remains unknown.

WorkSafe Energy Safety undertook a consequential audit with the supplier of the air fryer and are maintaining a watching brief.