House fire started by candles

Firefighters have issued a candle safety warning after they started a fire in a house in Chelmsford last night. 

Crews were called to the house after the residents noticed that their log burner was on fire. 

When firefighters arrived they quickly extinguished the fire and cleared the room of smoke. 

Watch Manager Gavin Ellis said:

"The residents had placed a number of candles on top of the log burner, which had started to melt and drip down.

 "The glass then failed and caught alight to the wax, starting a fire outside of the log burner. 

"Don't put anything on your log burner - keep it, and the area around it, clear.

"When you're using candles, always make sure they are secured in a proper holder and keep them away from anything flammable. 

"And if you do discover a fire in your home get out, stay out and call 999."

Two adults were treated for smoke inhalation at the scene. 

The log burner and area around it has suffered fire and smoke damage. 

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Some of the firefighters who attended this incident are on-call firefighters. They each live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and are paid to protect their community.

If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter too and join more than 500 firefighters who are paid to protect their local community.

Find out more at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call