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Original poster

Electric burning smell. Anyone awake?

35 replies

Windywuss · 10/02/2020 04:52

I've not slept v well but woken up to an awful smell. It's from spare room. I've turned off anything electric in there but there is no isolation switch. I'm shitting myself there's going to be a fire.

I need to ring electrician first thing but I'm suppose to be at work by 9.15.

Am I safe to go back to sleep? Not sure I can though. I've opened the windows to get rid of the smell.

Should I switch all the electrics off?

OP posts:
svenwhen · 10/02/2020 04:56

I would yes, even if it's only to help you rest better

Original poster
Windywuss · 10/02/2020 05:02

I've done that. Will that stop there being a fire? Jeez I hope I can get an electrician ASAP Sad

OP posts:
Sparklfairy · 10/02/2020 05:22

Have you checked all the plugs? Years ago my DM had a similar experience and the tumble dryer plug had like smouldered itself to the socket Confused it wasn't even on!

endofthelinefinally · 10/02/2020 05:26

Have you got working smoke alarms? If so you should be ok as they are very sensitive.

Original poster
Windywuss · 10/02/2020 06:04

Can't see anything on any plugs. I think may be ceiling light socket. It's def in spare room. I have no isolator switch for upstairs so I've switched all the power off.

It absolutely reeks upstairs.

OP posts:
Original poster
Windywuss · 10/02/2020 06:05

I do have smoke alarms but I haven't tested them lately. How stupid of me.

OP posts:
TheNestedIf · 10/02/2020 06:19

What does your fuse box look like? Do you have an RCD with switches?

I'm not an electrician, by the way, just a veteran of outdated and dodgy electrics.

slipperywhensparticus · 10/02/2020 06:23

I had this when my daughter grew cress called the workmen out and everything 😳

Original poster
Windywuss · 10/02/2020 06:24

It has switches but needs replacing. I was going to call electrician anyway so book that job in. Had powercut before Xmas because of dodgy outside wiring coming into house. That got fixed but he said should redo the inside box as didn't have all switches should have and old.

OP posts:
Original poster
Windywuss · 10/02/2020 06:25

Ha.. Def not cress! Wish it was!

OP posts:
TheNestedIf · 10/02/2020 06:34

If you're confident it's the light, switch that bit off, if you can.

Hate to say this but it's better to treat it as an emergency and you may not make it into work this morning.

I smelled smoke one weekend, thought it was solved and thought it was a light. 2 weeks later, I discovered my fuse box in the process of catching fire due to dodgy wiring on the shower.

TheNestedIf · 10/02/2020 06:35

Hate to say this but it's better to treat it as an emergency and you may not make it into work this morning.

Sorry, I didn't mean that to sound so sinister. I meant you may have to wait for an emergency electrician and it would be worth doing.

Original poster
Windywuss · 10/02/2020 06:38

Thanks @TheNestedIf. I'm already thinking that. Colleague can cover if needs be. Feel bit sick. The smell is awful and feel quite stressed.

Thank god you noticed. What did you do? Did you manage to stop it catching light?

OP posts:
TheNestedIf · 10/02/2020 06:49

It was an old style fuse box so those plug in fuses. I'd just come out of the shower so, wet and naked, had the choice of tackling the electrics or evacuating to the garden. I decided electrocution was preferable to humiliation so I ended up pulling the smouldering fuse out and flinging it in the sink before dousing it with water. Had to have the whole fuse box replaced as an emergency on a Sunday evening whilst furious neighbours (I did try to warn them) banged on the wall.

I have had another issue in another area since and the RCD has done a very good job so if you can get one fitted, I'd recommend it.

Good luck with it. Dodgy old electrics are a nightmare.

ChilliMayo · 10/02/2020 06:55

Your ceiling lights should all be on one ring so you'd only need to turn off/remove one fuse. Are you sure the fuses aren't labelled?
OK, you'll have to shower by candlelight, but you'll know the culprit is disconnected.
If your fuses aren't labelled then get the electrician to do you a diagram of which is which.

Original poster
Windywuss · 10/02/2020 07:07

I've only got a circuit to switch downstairs off. That's part the problem.

What time is OK to ring electrician?!

OP posts:
TheNestedIf · 10/02/2020 07:09

You might get lucky with one at 7am but on average they're about at 8am.

Whymustyoubringinthebirds · 10/02/2020 07:10

I would say now, most people would be up now, keep the power off

TheNestedIf · 10/02/2020 07:10

Some are 24 hour if you feel it's a real emergency.

windybay · 10/02/2020 07:22

Have you got any devices charging?
I recently had this, and it was my (pretty new, supposedly top quality) power bank with smoke coming out of it!

Original poster
Windywuss · 10/02/2020 07:24

No, nothing visible. It just reeks in spare room

OP posts:
millymae · 10/02/2020 07:30

Haven’t read the whole thread but it sounds to me that you could have a leak and water has got into the light fitting
Many years ago we had this happen in our bedroom - it was obvious though as the ceiling light fitting was sizzling and there was water dripping through onto the bed
In our case - the electrics were fine once they had dried out - if was he roof that needed fixing
As others have said if you havent already you need to isolate your ceiling light circuit in your fuse box until you can get the problem looked at.

Flyingsouthwiththeswallows · 10/02/2020 08:11

Have you checked your Home Insurance. Mine includes an emergency call out service for these sort of events.

gamerchick · 10/02/2020 08:15

What exactly is the smell like OP?

Original poster
Windywuss · 10/02/2020 08:45

Omg. I feel like such an idiot.

Electrician just came out. Checked everything then found my oil filled plug in radiator was leaking and that is the smell!

Im sure I heard a fizzing noise though in the night but they say it's all OK and have checked and now labelled the switches

OP posts: