Tealights causes house fire

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A FIRE at a house in Westbrook at the weekend was caused by tealights burning on top of a television in a bedroom.
The incident in Virginia Gardens has prompted Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to issue a warning around the safe use of tealights and candles.
Firefighters, two wearing breathing apparatus, used hose reel jets and special fans to deal with the incident. They also had to cut away plaster from the walls and ceilings to make sure there were no further hotspots of fire. The occupants are now unable to live in the property following the incident due to the damage.
Area Manager Sean Henshaw said: “When they arrived crews were confronted with a fire in the detached property and heavily smoke logged on the first floor.
“Luckily nobody was hurt in the incident. However, this is not always the case, as candle and tealight fires result in around 350 casualties nationally each year. To prevent this sort of fire from starting in your home you should make sure your candles and tealights are in heat resistant containers, kept away from flammable materials like curtains, and ensure they are put out when you leave the room, even for a moment.
“Even with these precautions, it’s vital to be prepared should the worst happen. A working smoke alarm can give you the vital time you need to get out, stay out and call 999. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by testing your alarm regularly and by practising your escape routes.”
To help you enjoy your candles and tealights safely, here are some safety tips:
• Never leave lit candles and tealights unattended. Put burning candles and tealights out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re out completely at night.
• Place your candles and tealights carefully. Make sure they are on a stable surface, out of the reach of pets and children, and keep them away from flammable objects like curtains, furniture, bedding and books.
• Don’t move candles and tealights once they are lit.
• Do not burn several candles and tealights close together. This might cause the flame to flare.
• Burn candles and tealights in a well-ventilated room, out of draughts, vents or air currents. This will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, soot and dripping.
• Put candles and tealights out with a snuffer or a spoon. Sparks can fly if you blow them out.
• Always put scented candles and tealights in a heat resistant holder. These candles are designed to liquefy when heated to maximise fragrance.
• Fit a smoke alarm and test it regularly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.
• Make sure that everyone in your home knows what to do if a fire should occur. Practice your escape route.


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