Candle fire
If you use candles at home, please keep them away from anything they can catch alight like curtains, blankets, bedding etc.
Earlier today, a home was left uninhabitable after the wind caused a lit candle to catch a curtain alight and the fire and smoke spread throughout the house.
The occupants were in the room at the time and acted quickly to get out of the house, stay out and call 999.
Firefighters were called to Dickinson Road, Colchester at 10:23am.
On arrival, crews reported that a detached house was heavily smoke logged with a fire in an upstairs bedroom.
Firefighters extinguished the fire by 11:07am.
Due to the smoke damage throughout the house, it was been left uninhabitable.
Candle safety
If you use candles at home our top advice to stay safe would be:
- 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 flammable materials, such as curtains
Read more advice here: www.essex-fire.gov.uk/candles
