Firefighters have warned people using candles to be careful after a fire caused by a tea light damaged a Camberwell flat, with one person needing to go to hospital.
A bedroom in a third-floor flat of a converted, detached house on Grove Park was damaged by the blaze on Tuesday afternoon (October 11). Five people left the building before firefighters arrived and one person was taken to hospital for a precautionary check.
The fire was an accident caused by a tea light candle that was left unattended and set fire to combustible materials, investigators say. It was discovered when someone living in the flat saw smoke coming from the stairs.
They rushed up to check and found the bedroom on fire. The fire brigade was called at 2.55pm and the fire was under control nearly two hours later at 4.50pm. Two fire engines from Peckham and Old Kent Road fire stations attended the scene.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “Candles are one of the most common causes of fires in the home and you should be careful when using them…
“Never leave candles unattended and keep them away from anything that could catch fire such as curtains, furniture or clothes.
Firefighters said they recommend using fake LED candles, but if people do use real candles they should follow these tips:
- Make sure you put out any candles, incense and oil burners when you leave the room and especially before bed
- These items should always be held firmly in heat-resistant holders and placed on a stable surface where they won’t be knocked over
- Keep them away from materials that might catch fire – that’s things like curtains, furniture, clothes and hair
- Be aware that tea lights get very hot and without proper holders can melt through plastic surfaces like a TV or bath
- To avoid accidents keep candles and other naked flames out of reach of children and pets