Glad you guys are ok Pete! As a long time plumber I have seen that a few times. If you read the dryer installation sheet it usually say's the warranty is void if you use a plastic vent. Always use hard metal vent and keep it cleaned out. You would be amazed at how many we find that are plugged with wet nasty 20 year old lint. (The guys always keep the loose change
) Was yours gas or electric?