Blomberg washing machine

My Blomberg washine machine though not on a cycle and without tripping the electrics, overheated to such a degree, it started melting where you would put the liquid/powder. This was quite scary as I had fallen asleep. It was my brother who was staying with me from the States having forgotten his key and alerting me to the intense heat in the kitchen. This would most certainly have resulted in a fire had it been left any longer . I wonder if this a design fault and has anybody else had a similar problem. I called Comet in Oldham Lancs (where I purchased the machine) but they were not in the slightest bit bothered. They said it would cost me £60 just for somebody to see what went wrong!!!!! I am most upset and am shaken up that this could even happen. I also burnt my hand on the machine, that didn’t bother them either as it was over 12 months old!!! What has that got to do with anything. Ifr anybody has had a similar problem could you please reply. Thanks!