FIREFIGHTERS are urging everyone to ditch an everyday item after it sparked two separate house fires on the same night in Essex.
Crews were first called to a property in Harlow shortly before 10pm on Thursday, 23 October, following an accident with an unattended candle.
When they arrived, they found a well-developed blaze ripping through a bedroom, leaving it a charred ruin.
During the search, crews rescued two boa constrictor snakes.
The cause was confirmed as candles left unattended, officers said.
Just hours later, firefighters in Chelmsford were called to another house fire, again started by a candle left burning.
That property was left heavily smoke-damaged as crews brought the incident under control.
Essex Fire and Rescue has warned that the spate shows how quickly a cosy glow can turn catastrophic if you step away, even for a minute.
An earlier service alert also confirmed an unattended candle in a Chelmsford bedroom had set nearby materials alight, underlining the risk when flames are left unsupervised.
Watch Manager Ross Daynes said: “Candles are a popular way to make our homes cosier in the darker and colder evenings, but it’s important to remember that candles are an open flame which can cause devastation if left unattended.
“We are asking people to do one thing that will eliminate the risk of a candle fire, which is to swap your normal wax candles for LED ones.
“LED candles are not only the safer option, but they last longer, which saves you money, whilst giving the same effect as real ones. They can be safely used on pumpkins for Halloween and around synthetic costumes without the risk of catching fire.
“If you are going to use real candles, please make sure you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your property. Which in these two cases, saved lives.”
Simple candle rules to follow every time
- Secure candles in a proper, stable holder and place them on a heat-resistant surface
- Keep well away from anything that can burn, such as curtains, blinds, bedding and soft furnishings
- Never leave children or pets alone with lit candles
- Snuff candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re completely out before bed
- Keep the wax pool clear of wick trimmings, matches and debris
- Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, but avoid drafts, vents or air currents that can cause flaring, sooting or dripping
- Keep wicks short and trim before lighting; long or crooked wicks can flare and burn unevenly
- Don’t move candles once they are lit
- Follow the manufacturer’s guidance on burn time and safe use
- Don’t cluster several candles close together
- Avoid letting glass candles burn all the way down
Tealights look harmless, but the metal cups concentrate heat.
Put one directly on a TV unit, a bath, a windowsill, or a varnished shelf, and it can superheat the surface and ignite it.
Jar candles can also crack when the wax runs low, tipping hot wax and flame onto nearby materials.
A small flame and a draft from a window are often all it takes for curtains or dried decor to catch fire.
If a candle does catch fire, do not try to pick it up—this is how hot wax ends up on skin and floors.
If it is safe, smother the flame by placing a damp tea towel over the fire or using a fire blanket. Never throw water on flaming wax.
If the fire is spreading or you have any doubt, get everyone out, close the door to the room to slow the spread of smoke, and call 999.
