A family in Chelmsford has been left temporarily homeless after a fire caused by an unattended candle tore through a bedroom in their home.
Fire crews were called to Longmead Avenue following reports of a blaze at a terraced property. On arrival, firefighters discovered a bedroom engulfed in flames. The fire had started after a candle, left unattended, ignited nearby materials and spread rapidly throughout the room.
Fortunately, the family was alerted to the danger by a working smoke alarm and managed to escape the property unharmed.
A spokesperson for the fire service issued a safety reminder to residents:
“Never leave candles burning unattended — always extinguish them when you leave the room and ensure they’re completely out before going to bed. Keep candles away from materials that could catch fire and make sure you have working smoke alarms installed throughout your home.”
The fire caused significant damage to the bedroom, and the property is currently uninhabitable while repairs and clean-up take times.
