High-rise flat fire caused by candle

Firefighters have issued a warning over candles after a fire in a high-rise block in Hove yesterday (May 1).
Fire & Rescue East SussexFire & Rescue East Sussex
Fire & Rescue East Sussex

The fire service said the occupant of the flat in Grand Avenue was not at home at the time, but a number of residents ‘self evacuated’ after hearing the fire alarm.

Six fire engines were called to the incident at 4.16pm, and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire, using two main jets, on the sixth floor of the building.

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Crews remained at the scene until 5.45pm and carried out a ‘hot strike’ of the area, which involved community engagement with residents in a bid to increase fire safety awareness.

Incident Commander Tom Walby said: “What may seem a harmless ambient addition to your home, if left unattended, candles can result in a serious house fire, resulting in property damage, personal injury or even worse.

“We can’t stress enough how important it is to follow safety advice to avoid becoming a statistic.

“Some people are unaware that if you do not place a candle in a heat-resistant holder and on a stable surface that the heat can quickly burn through plastic, or other material, creating a fire which could quickly become out of control.

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“Also, if a naked flame is placed too close to curtains or home furnishings then a fire can quickly take hold and rapidly spread throughout a home. It is especially important to make plans for situations where power to your home might be temporarily lost.

“Whilst candles might seem the easiest option, there are safer options to manage light through a power cut by, for example, considering the use of battery powered lights and torches.

“It is so important to remember to extinguish candles when nobody is in the room, or when going to bed to ensure they have been fully extinguished. Also, it is imperative to fit a working smoke alarm to give you the best chance of escaping should there be a fire in the home.”

There were no injuries from the fire and everyone safely escaped, the fire service said.

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East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said it offers home safety visits for those most at risk of fires.

To see if you are eligible for a home safety visit, call 0800 177 7069 or visit: www.esfrs.org/your-safety/home-safety-visits

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