What household objects and appliances tend to survivie household fires?

Question

Do dish washers or refrigerators or what doesn't burn up every time?

Answer 1

Depends on the fuel load, the materials throughout the structure, how much oxygen is available, the length of time that the fire has burned. Too many variable to list. If the fire was extensive then all the appliances are history, it would cost more to repaint, rewire, replace components, and gaskets than the unit would be worth. Having worked with the local Fire department for over 20 years I can say that after all but the most minor of fires the appliances will be history.

Answer 2

A refrigerator is a good solid appliance that semi-survives a fire. Most likely the wiring will be burned and the rubber gasket.  My neighbor is a retired firefighter and has told me that after fighting a house fire he has walked to the fridge opened it up and pulled out a cold soft drink.

Answer 3

It all depends on the temperature rise in proximity to anything.

If it gets hot enough, a fire can ruin a concrete foundation.

If you had a major fire in the kitchen, yes just about everything would be toast (so to speak).   Maybe the silverware (if it didn't have plastic handles) would be ok.  Same for some pots and pans, and I suppose things that can tolerate heat, like glasses, or tupperware.

Someone I knew had a coal stove.  Next to it they had an open bin of coal (about 40 pounds).  Prior to leaving the house, someone stoked the stove not realizing a hot ember clung to the underside of the shovel.

(as they left it in the bucket of coal).  It ignited the whole thing,  which got so hot, it smoldered through the floor and fell into the basement.

I wouldn't have believed it, if I hadn't seen it for myself.

Nothing flamed up, but anything made of plastic had melted to the point where it was dripping off the walls and ceilings.  All of the wall switches, smoke detectors, lights, picture frames.  The Fire Dept. estimated that the inside of the house reached 900 to 1500 degrees!

The smoke damage was incredible.

Be careful with anything that is a heat source.........