Laundry Room Fire Hits Newport Condo

A fire broke out Friday in the laundry room of a Newport Beach condo, but no one was injured, a fire official said.

The blaze was reported about 5:48 p.m. Friday at a multi-unit condo building on 15th Street across from Newport Harbor High School. Jennifer Schulz, of the Newport Beach Fire Department, said the residents of the home were alerted to the fire when a smoke alarm went off and were able to escape before firefighters arrived because the fire sprinklers helped keep the fire from spreading.

"Firefighters discovered a significant fire in the downstairs laundry area of the two-story structure," Schulz said in a released statement. "Firefighters quickly attacked the fire and extinguished it within 10 minutes."

The fire remains under investigation, but Schulz said it appears to have started in the laundry room. The damage to the condo was approximately $20,000.

Dryer Safety Tips:

• Clean the lint out of the exhaust pipe and the rear of the dryer regularly.
• Inspect your lint filter for rips each time you use it. If you see any rips, replace immediately.
• The exhaust pipe should be as short as possible and have limited bends to allow for adequate airflow.
• Never put synthetic materials such as rubber, plastic, foam, or pieces of cloth that have been used to sponge up flammable liquids in the dryer, even if previously washed.