Firefighters have warned people not to leave washing machines and tumble driers on when they go out.
Fire crews from Huddersfield and Slaithwaite were called to a semi-detached house in Steeple View in Golcar at 1.11pm today when a neighbour spotted smoke.
Firefighters found the kitchen well ablaze and used four breathing apparatus sets and two hose reel jets to tackle the fire.
Crew commander Richard Meakin, of Huddersfield Fire Station, said the fire was thought to have been started by an electrical fault in a washing machine.
Householders had gone to work and left the washer on.
Mr Meakin said doors inside the house had been left open and that had allowed smoke to engulf other rooms.
Extensive damage was caused to the kitchen.
Mr Meakin said: “People should make sure doors are closed and we don’t advocate leaving electrical items working when you go out, especially washing machines and tumble driers.”
