Can a washing machine set on fire if it is unplugged?

My washer/dryer has just gone funny. All the lights were flashing and it was red hot. It was on a drying cycle. I couldn't turn it off, so I unplugged it. Are we safe?

Answers:
If your washing machine has a drying cycle, the relay switch must have went bad. I had a dryer do that once and that's what was wrong. I had to unplug it. If fire had started inside somewhere before I unplugged it, it could have still continued. Luckily it didn't catch fire. The relay switch was replaced by a repairman and it was cheaper than buying a new dryer.

Other answers:
in theory yes , the heating elements will be powered down but if the cause is lint bloocking a filter then it may still smoulder.
can you smell burning ????
in theory yes , the heating elements will be powered down but if the cause is lint bloocking a filter then it may still smoulder.
can you smell burning ????
I am not sure about washing machines but my tv went up in flames even after I took the plug out!
It's possible that the dryer unit has its own electric cooling mechanism that you de-activated by unplugging it. I'd watch it for a while just to make sure.
In theory, yes. But you may have a smoldering fire in there somewhere.

You need service, obviously.
you should be safe but ensure that any lint / fluff from the dryer is cleaned out it sounds like the heating element has gone
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