Incident
Candle causes garden fire
Firefighters are giving candle fire safety advice after a candle caused a garden fire in Waltham Abbey earlier today.
On arrival, crews reported that a garden fire was beginning to affect the rear of a house.
Firefighters from Loughton and our colleagues in Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service worked to extinguish the fire by 12:28pm.
Crews believe the fire was caused by a candle burning in the garden.
Watch Manager Glen Jackson from Loughton Fire Station said: “If you’re going to use candles, please keep an eye on them at all times and make sure to place them well away from anything they can catch alight.
“I’d like to thank our colleagues from Cheshunt for their assistance during this incident.”
Here are a few simple precautions you should take when using candles or tea lights:
- Consider swapping wax candles for LED candles, they are much safer and give the same warm glow
- Never leave candles burning unattended
- Make sure candles are secured in a proper holder and are away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains
- Children should not be left alone with lit candles
- Put candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re put out completely at night
- Keep the wax pool clear of wick trimmings, matches and debris at all times
- Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, but avoid drafts, vents or air currents. This will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, sooting, and excessive dripping
- Trim the wick to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring
- Don’t move candles once they are lit
- Follow the manufacturer's recommendations on burn time and proper use
- Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause flaring
