Unexpected fire - beware!
 

Oh - to say I had a bad morning would be an understatement. I was piecing the backing for a very special memorial quilt I designed and pieced - which will be auctioned off for a college schlorship memorial fund. My Rowenta travel iron BURST INTO FLAMES as I was using it. It burnt the cord off - it was laying on the floor still plugged in - blackened my rings - blistered my hand and burned a HOLE bigger than a quarter in my backing fabric - WHICH I HAVE NO MORE OF! I was able to get the fire out by putting my other hand over the burning fabric on the ironing board. WHAT A MESS.................my DH came in the house and said "what happened" - "get the burn ointment and meet me in the kitchen" was all I could come up with.

Can't even think about how I'm going to fix this problem with the backing yet. Tomorrow is another day.

Will call Rowenta's customer service in AM to tell them I'm sending this iron to them and will request an explanation of what happened. Have NEVER had anything like this happen - ever. I even have the iron plugged into a timer so that it can't accidently be left on.......but it actually was on fire as I held it.

Hope this NEVER happens to anyone else.

Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry this happened to you. If you post a photo of your backing fabric, perhaps someone has some to send you. And Rowenta should send you a new iron as well as pay for any replacement fabric you might need to purchase.

Scary! Glad you got the fire out. Sorry about the other damage.

So sorry to hear of all that happened to you! Thank goodness it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I pray your hand hand heals quickly and that Rowenta has an explanation of what could have went wrong with the iron. Best wishes!!

Oh my gosh! That is just dreadful! I hope you heal quickly and Rowenta makes some kind of amends. They should try and find your fabric for you! Maybe someone on here has some?

Rowenta has a lot of splainin' to do. Glad you are mainly okay. Was this the older travel iron or the new style?

Sorry for your problem with the Rowenta iron I had one and it was nothing but problems. We contacted the company
and they sent me a new iron still have not used it so I went out and bought a different kind and have had no problems.

Yes, please post pics of fabric, someone may have some! Or that may be just the spot for a label??

Yes, post pics of the backing fabric. Maybe you'll get lucky and can applique a patch on. If not, I personally like pieced backings, makes it interesting. Just hope your burns heal quickly and glad that it wasn't any worse.

Sorry to hear of your bad day, I hope your hand is ok.

Put some kind of applique over the hole. So sorry for the iron bursting into flames.

Could/Would you also post photos of the iron?
How did you put the fire out?

When you send it in, maybe you could send photos of your burnt hand and all the damage done to your project. That's scary when it happens. I had a cheapy one short out as I was ironing once. But it just got very hot and set off the smoke detector, no flames. Flames are scary. Glad you were there to catch it and that you ok.

Yes, please post a picture of the iron...I have one of those and fire scares me. I'm so sorry that this happened to you.
Once I found 3 holes in my backing fabric....they were about the size of a pencil eraser and spaced exactly 88 inches apart on the bolt of fabric. I solved that problem by appliqueing left-over blocks over the holes. Worked great and saved the fabric.
Sure hope your hand heals quickly.

I just did a 'search' - seems like irons catching on fire has happened to several people.

I try to remember to unplug mine when I leave the area - but one catching on fire while using it would scare the **** out of me.

What is the best way to put out the fire?

OMG! I know you were injured but I hope you're OK. Please keep us informed as to the results.

Ditto about letting us know. I have that iron! Hope you heal quickly.

wow that is absolutely teribble

Could you put a label or applique over the hole

Oh, my gosh!!!! Thank heavens you kept your cool and put out the fire quickly. I do wish you hadn't had to use your hand, though. I hope the burns aren't too bad!

As others mentioned, please post a picture of your backing. Maybe someone here will have a piece, to share.

Wow! Kay! Rich & I are still in shock about your accident. Hope your luck changes to the better before long!!! Take care of yourself and your DH. Rowenta does need a piece of your mind!!!!! Sure am glad I don't work for them!!!

Oh, do make sure to keep your burn clean. I had one about a year ago(from an iron at work) and after a few days it got infected. I had to go to the doctor for a burn cream with silver in it(it draws out the infection and cools the burn at the same time). I had it covered to keep it clean while I was not at home also. Please keep a good eye on it. I hope it heals up quick.

So sorry for your mishap. Hope you are okay. I am sure you will figure something out in time.

My DH said the best way to put out the fire is CO2. Most of us don't have fire extinguishers in our homes, but it's worth thnking about getting one. This is scary! So happy that the fire was able to be put out...but not so happy about the burns.

That is scary! I hope you heal quickly. I hate to think what could have happened if you'd left the room for a minute to get something and the fire happened. I love how my Rowenta steams, but it's been spitting. My previous Rowenta years ago had an electrical problem in the cord. I occasionally felt a very slight tingle when my wrist touched the cord, and was a little slow to realize what was happening. Time for a new iron! Thank you for your warning. Take photos of your hand, get it checked out by your Dr tomorrow. Burns can get infected very easily.

Sorry to hear this happened. What a frightening experience. As to the hole in your backing, could you perhaps applique something small over the hole.

holy crap!

are you okay?

aileen

Scary story! Glad you were able to put out the fire quickly. We need to know why this happened! Let us know what Rowenta says! Was this a refurbished Rowenta or original purchase? I have seen a lot of the refurbished ones on the market, in stores and I have wondered about them

Call your Dr. and get a prescription for Silverdene. I keep a container of it in the fridge for kitchen burns and sunburns. It stops the pain fast. I doubt Rowenta will acknowledge any blame since the company was sold and the irons are now being made in China. It's a shame the name Rowenta doesn't mean quality anymore.

I am just glad it was not any worse than what it is. Hugs coming your way and hope you feel better soon.

there has been many, many complaints posted about that iron brand. i had mine for years and thought it was fine. i plugged it into a power strip so i could use my JoAnn's table to fuse the batting to the top and backing. it blew out my power strip. I tossed that iron away after that!!! got a Shark brand at Target. So far it's fine.

I'm guessing she's not going to want another Rowenta----new or otherwise. Still, they ought to reimburse you for replacement fabric and a bill or two for trauma.

Don't forget cold yellow mustard is good for pulling the heat out of a burn. (learned it here on the Quilting Board!)

Best wishes for a speedy healing of your hand. Have you considered that the burn area on the backing may be the ideal place for you to put your label? If not, let us see a photo of the fabric and just maybe one of us will be able to help your from our stash.

bless you!

put a signature block over it

Ladies can I also ask you to be also aware with your hair dryer. My hair is very short and I usually just dry it quickly without styling it, and not in front of a mirror. Last week for some reason I was in front of the mirror drying my hair when I noticed that the dryer was GLOWING inside, one of the elements was burning. That dryer was immediately switched off and thrown in the rubbish. I do not know what would have happened if I was not in front of the mirror.

Don't send it back, see your lawyer!

I just wanted to say we are glad it wasn't worse for you. After retirement, my DH repaired appliances for a large Catalog Returns company as he can fix just about anything. Although they have an excellent reputation, he said he would never recommend that brand of iron (much more than any other brand). He had to repair them (when it was possible) all the time. I worry about fire because I have a bad habit of leaving my mini iron on sometimes. Hope you find your fabric.