A Kansas woman, Simone Anderson, 29, recently took to TikTok to share a harrowing experience that has left her family of four temporarily homeless after a devastating house fire.
On August 7, 2024, her dishwasher caught fire while her family slept, prompting a frantic escape. Anderson recounts, “I woke up my husband, Paul, who rushed down and found the dishwasher engulfed in flames. We had to get the kids out fast.” By 1:25 a.m., they were safe outside as smoke filled their home just moments later.
@simonepatrice_ / TikTok
The local fire department investigated and traced the cause to frayed wires inside the appliance. “It’s a total loss; our kitchen needs a complete overhaul,” Anderson explained. Everything in the house is covered in soot, and the restoration company is now deciding what can be salvaged.
With holidays approaching, Anderson expressed sadness over their displacement. Their two young children, Nola, 4, and Ansel, 1, are now facing an uncertain stay away from home, which could last six months or more.
To raise awareness, Anderson urged others to avoid using their dishwasher at night. This advice was echoed by Ryan Gregor, an electrician, who said that while appliance fires are rare, they can be avoided by not running them unattended. Regular maintenance and smoke detectors are crucial safety measures.
Spreading The Message on Social Media
Her TikTok video has gone viral, amassing over 1.4 million views and thousands of likes in just a week. In her post, she urged, “Please check your smoke detectors and don’t run appliances at night. It’s not worth the risk.”
Anderson initially found the idea of avoiding overnight appliance use to be unnecessary but now realizes the serious implications it can have. The response to her post has been overwhelmingly positive, with many thankful for the reminder to prioritize safety.
One comment read: “Thanks to your video, I replaced my smoke detector batteries!” Another expressed sympathies while vowing to no longer run their dishwasher overnight. Anderson feels gratified that she could help others stay safe through her experience.