Candle starts bedroom fire

A family of five have escaped a house fire after a candle started a fire in the bedroom. 

Crews were called to the house in Lodge Road, Writtle, yesterday evening after the occupants heard their smoke alarm going off and smelled burning. 

On arrival firefighters reported that there was a fire in a ground floor bedroom and smoke throughout the ground floor of the house. 

Watch Manager Ean Summerfield, Chelmsford Fire Station, said:

"On discovering the fire, the family got out, stayed out and called 999, which meant they were all safely outside when we arrived. 

"Our crews did a great job of containing and extinguishing the fire, which had been caused by an unattended candle that had caught alight to nearby items. 

"Thankfully in this case, only the bedroom was fire damaged, but one candle can cause so much devastation when not used safely."

"With Chinese New Year today and Valentine's Day on Sunday, we expect lots of people will be using more candles this weekend. 

"Please don't leave them unattended - it's so easy to blow them out when you leave a room.

"It's also just as important you secure them in a proper holder and keep them away from materials that may catch fire, like curtains.

"Whatever you're celebrating this weekend, we need you to be safe and sensible when it comes to fire safety."

Here are a few simple precautions which you should take when using candles or tea light in the home:

• Make sure candles are secured in a proper holder and are away from materials that may catch fire.
• 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.

Do you have working smoke alarms in your home?

If you or someone you know doesn’t have working smoke alarms at home, we can fit them for free during a home fire safety visit.

You can book a free home fire safety by calling 0300 303 0088 or emailing home.safety@essex-fire.gov.uk, or visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book for more information.