Four crews tackle house fire
Four crews tackled a house fire in Great Waltham.
We were called to Langleys yesterday at 10.35pm and crews from Chelmsford (two), Great Baddow and Saffron Walden attended.
A two-storey property was alight and the occupant, who had been alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm, was out of the property.
Station Manager Mark Elliott said: "Incident Commander Watch Manager Gavin Ellis worked with his crews to establish a water supply from a nearby river.
"Crews worked quickly and efficiently to contain the fire to the room of origin.
"Unfortunately the smoke damage has left the house uninhabitable but I must praise crews who worked extremely hard to stop the fire from spreading."
The fire was fully extinguished by 1am today and crews returned to the scene at 9am to carry out further checks.
The cause has been recorded as accidental, either an open fire or candle.
Candle safety
Candles can cause devastation if left unattended. Consider using LED candles instead of wax candles - they are much safer and give the same warm glow.
Here are a few simple precautions you should take when using candles or tea lights:
- Make sure candles are secured in a proper holder and are away from flammable materials, such as curtains
- Put candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re put out completely before you go to bed
- Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, but avoid drafts, vents or air currents which can cause rapid or uneven burning, sooting, and excessive dripping
- Don’t move candles once they are lit
- Never leave children alone with lit candles
Do you have working smoke alarms?
Please make sure you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home.
If you or someone you know hasn’t got smoke alarms, we can fit them for free.
Get in touch at www.essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088.
