Firefighters are warning of the dangers of leaving candles burning after being called to a flat fire at Green Lane, Redruth, yesterday.

Two appliances from Redruth and two from Camborne were called out just after 8am yesterday evening after a report of the fire in the living room of a flat caused by lit candles.

A spokesman said that due to the premise not having been evacuated, the incident was made "persons reported" and 22 firefighters were sent to the scene.

When the crews arrived there was smoke issuing from the four storey building and fire crews used a total of four breathing apparatus and two hose reel jets on the fire.

By 8.26am it was confirmed that there was no people involved in the fire and it was confirmed that all persons were accounted for.

The spokesman said: "Crews made good progress and breathing apparatus were withdrawn at 8.51. One female casualty was left in the care of Westcountry Ambulance paramedics.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue are reminding people of the dangers of lit candles.

Please see the link below for fire safety advice on using candles and are asking people to keep these safety tips in mind whenever you use candles at home:

  • put them on a heat-resistant surface – and be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic;
  • TVs are not fire-resistant objects
  • make sure they are held firmly upright by the holder so they won't fall over; the holder needs to be stable too, so it won't fall over either
  • don't put candles near curtains, or other fabrics or furniture - and keep them out of draughts 
  • don't put them under shelves - make sure there's at least one metre (three feet) between a candle and any surface above it
  • keep clothes and hair away from the naked flame - if there's any chance you could forget a candle is there and lean across or brush past it, put it somewhere else
  • candles should always be sited out of the reach of children and away from areas that pets can get into
  • leave at least four inches (10 cms) between any two candles
  • extinguish candles before moving them and don't let anything fall into the hot wax, like matchsticks
  • don't leave them burning – you should extinguish candles before you leave a room; never go to sleep with a candle still burning and never leave a burning candle or oil burner in a child's bedroom
  • use a snuffer or a spoon to put them out - blowing them can send sparks and hot wax flying – and double-check that they're completely out and not still smoldering