FIREFIGHTERS are urging residents to take extreme care with candles following a fire that hospitalised a woman with burns and severely damaged a flat in Crewe.

The ground floor flat of a property in Fanshawe Walk was well alight when firefighters reached the incident at 3.48am on Friday, October 17.

A man and woman inside had been woken by smoke alarms and managed to get out.

Lee Shears, Service Delivery Manager for Cheshire East said: “This fire was caused by tea light candles, which had been left lit near a bed and had then set fire to a bed and bedding.

"This incident serves as a stark reminder that candles can be extremely dangerous and threaten life and property if not used with care.

“I believe that the residents of this property owe their lives to having a working smoke alarm which alerted them to this this fire, otherwise the story would be been very different.”

The woman was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and minor burns to her hand.

Another woman was also helped down a ladder from the flat above by firefighters, but did not require any treatment.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus then checked the flat opposite and an elderly lady from inside was also taken to hospital to be checked over.

Two fire engines from Crewe and one from Nantwich were called to the blaze. Crews using a hose reel and wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire and a large fan was used to clear the smoke.

Cheshire firefighters have issued the following safety advice:- Always put candles on a heat-resistant surface and be especially careful with night lights and tea lights, which get hot enough to melt plastic.

Remember that the top of televisions are not fire resistant.

Leave at least four inches (10cms) between any two candles.

Don't put candles near curtains, or other fabrics such as bedding or furniture and keep them out of draughts.

Candles should always be sited out of the reach of children and away from areas that pets can get into.

Keep clothes and hair away from the naked flame.

Don't leave candles burning – put them out before you go to sleep or leave the room.

Always use a suitable glass or metal container that can with stand the heat.

Always have a working smoke alarm.

Further information about candle safety can be found at cheshirefire.gov.uk