South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue
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Firefighters tackle Chapeltown house fire caused by candle

A man was given treatment for smoke inhalation after a fire in his Chapeltown home – which was caused by candles.

Firefighters from Rotherham, Elm Lane and Tankersley stations were called to the incident, on Smith Street, at 5.15pm on Sunday 18th November.

Upon arrival they found a fire in the ground floor living room. Breathing apparatus wearers entered the building to extinguish the fire before clearing the smoke using positive pressure ventilation.

After the incident was dealt with, and the occupant had been given treatment by paramedics, it emerged that this fire had started when the flame from a candle, which was on a windowsill, spread to a set of window blinds. Crews also noted that there were no smoke alarms in the property and installed two before leaving.

Following the incident the service is re-iterating its safety advice regards candles, and smoke alarms:

  • Working smoke alarms provide early warning when fire hits. Buy them, fit them to every level of your home and test them weekly. It only takes two minutes.
  • It is safer to use battery operated candles, but if you are going to use wax ones they should be kept well away from curtains, clothes and other flammable materials. They should also be kept out of reach of children and pets, placed on a heat resistant surface and carefully extinguished before you go to bed.

This content was last updated on November 20th, 2018