Fire caused by overheated/malfunctioned electric blanket

Energy type: 
Electricity
 
Event summary: 
An electric blanket (switched on) was draped over a lounge room chair whilst a bed was being remade. The bed was made, but the electric blanket remained draped over the lounge room chair. The occupant went out and the electric blanket overheated/malfunctioned and caused a fire that gutted the house.
 
Accident ID: 
160704-07
 
Accident date: 
30 June 2016
 
Site: 
Domestic
 
Environment: 
Building
 
Voltage: 
230
 
Equipment: 
Appliances
 
Accident type: 
Fire
 
Casualty: 
Non-fatality
 
Injury: 
No injury
 
Property damage level: 
Extended to the site
 
Outcome of investigation: 

Energy Safety attempted to contact the owner of the property for more information, but was unable to establish contact. Based on the fire department report the fire appears to have been caused by carelessness in the use of an electric blanket, rather than a product malfunction.