Fires started by faulty white goods in Waltham Forest have cost the economy almost £4 million in the past five years, according to a new study.

Figures released by the London Fire Brigade today (Monday, October 17), revealed white goods cause 69 fires in the borough since 2011.

Waltham Forest was the 11th worst affected area in the capital, with the brigade estimating fires in the area cost the economy £3,939,348.

The figure takes into account factors including damage caused by each blaze and the cost of the fire service response.

LFB is currently campaigning to make white goods safer, calling for improvements in the recall process for faulty products and changes to the way fridges and freezers are made.

London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said: ““There is a serious lack of awareness about the potential dangers posed by faulty white goods and manufacturers are lagging far behind when it comes to prioritising fire resistance in their designs.

“We want politicians and members of the public to share our campaign to make people better informed about the dangers white goods can pose in their homes.”

Since 2011, London firefighters have attended 2,072 white goods-related fires, which cost the economy an average £57,000 each.

The publication of the figures comes a week after a brigade investigation concluded a faulty Indesit tumble dryer subject to a safety notice was the cause of a huge Shepherd's Bush tower block blaze.

Manufacturer Whirlpool maintains people may continue to use the affected dryers while they are waiting for them to be modified, as long as they are not left unattended.

However, LFB says it “strongly disagrees” with the advice, urging anyone with one of the models in question to immediately unplug the machine and stop using it.

For more information on models affected, visit: safety.hotpoint.eu.