Worthing home devastated after scented candle causes fire

Debbie Fron, 62, was away for a work event when she received a phone call at midnight telling her that her home in Bulkington Avenue was on fire.

Her daughter, Jasmine Spalding, 29, and Jasmine’s partner, Ella Mason, 27, had lit a pumpkin spice-scented candle in the bedroom before getting ready for bed. They returned from the bathroom to find the room ‘glowing’, and realised several items of clothing hanging on the door had ignited.

Debbie said: “They tried to tackle it, but obviously realised it was bigger than them. The fire just leapt onto the bed, then the bed was on fire, and their escape route was on fire.”

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was called at 11.07pm, and the fire was extinguished by 11.20pm. Debbie said the fire service was ‘absolutely incredible’.

"They were super quick,” she said.

"It was all out by twenty past, but the whole of the upstairs was gone. It just shows you how rapid it is, and this is one small candle.”

Everyone had managed to escape the house safely, including Debbie’s two cats and dog.

Debbie said: “I was, at that point, just grateful that they were okay, but I couldn't imagine it in my head. My friend had got there, and she took the phone from my daughter. I said, ‘I must come home’, and she said, ‘You can’t. You haven’t got a home to go to’.

“That was hard. I was thinking ‘Oh my God, all I've got is the clothes I'm in and my little overnight bag’.”

Debbie had let her contents insurance lapse, leaving her facing the cost of replacing everything that had been destroyed. On the suggestion of family and friends, she decided to launch a fundraiser.

She added: “I don’t like asking people for help, to be honest. But people have been so lovely.

"We’ve been given loads of clothes, which has been amazing, so we’re all very well-dressed.

“I managed to salvage a few bits from my room. [But] my daughter’s room is the main one. Everything is completely destroyed.”

The GoFundMe raised £400 in its first two days, and Debbie said every donation will help towards essentials including a new bed, a wardrobe or a chest of drawers.

Most of all, the mum-of-three wants to make people aware of the devastation candles can cause.

She said: “I want to raise awareness about candle safety, especially at this time of year when people are getting candles for gifts.

“We don’t want anyone to go through that for the sake of having a pretty candle. It’s just not worth it."

Debbie and her family are currently living in temporary accommodation, where they expect to remain until January 2027.

To donate to Debbie’s fundraiser, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/major-house-fire-recovery.