Firefighters have issued a safety warning after a candle caused a fire at a house in Rotherham.

Crews from Rotherham station attended the incident on Beech Avenue in Rawmarsh at around half past nine on Wednesday evening.

The owner of the semi-detached house had isolated the electricity while doing some DIY work and was using a candle so he was able to see. He left the candle burning when he left the property which eventually set fire to a cloth.

The next door neighbour, who was returning home, spotted flames in the kitchen and alerted the emergency services.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire before it had chance to spread.”

“People should always take care when using candles. They should always be kept away from flammable materials and must be put out when unattended.”