Electricity and safety - advice please re exploding hairdryer

[Caligula]

My hairdryer has just set itself on fire at the plug. Total PITA as this is the one morning in about 2 months, that I've actually had enough time to blow-dry my hair and now of course I can't, so have to revert to usual browbeaten mummy style instead of smooth sleek siren I was planning for this morning. My question is this: would it be safe to just cut the wire and put another plug on, or should I just throw the whole hairdryer away and go on a shopping spree to buy a new one?

I'd be tempted to just rewire it but then I hate shopping so anything is preferable to that and I hate throwing out things that dont need throwing out. No idea if its safe or not mind. Hopefully someone else will be able to tell you that.

(Actually considering the amount of times our hairdryer get used it'd prob get put in a cupboard and not rewired and no replacement bought)

depends whats happened!
If you undo the plug and there is a loose wire I would replace the plug otherwise it's the bin for your dryer

The wired aren't loose, but they look a bit black from the smoke. I think it just wipes off though.

Chuck it. Treat yourself.