Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) are urging people to take extra care when using candles after a 69-year-old man tragically died in a house fire. Fire crews were called to reports of a domestic fire on Lever Avenue in Seacombe, Wirral on Sunday, 15^th December after neighbours raised the alarm on seeing smoke issuing from the house.

Crews were alerted at 11.05pm and on scene at 11.10pm, with four fire engines in attendance. Crews arrived to find a two-storey end terraced house on fire. Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the house and began fighting a fire on the ground floor using high pressure hose reels and searching the property for occupants. During the search a man’s body was discovered and declared deceased at the scene by North West Ambulance Service.

Properties adjacent were evacuated and checked for fire spread. The fire on the ground floor was supressed shortly after midnight, with fire crews damping down and checking for hot spots using thermal imaging cameras. Merseyside Police and North West Ambulance Service were both in attendance at the scene.

An investigation revealed that there were no smoke alarms installed at the property and the cause of the fire was a candle. With a significant increase in house fires started by candles in recent weeks, MFRS is urging people to be extra vigilant if using them.

Fire crews will be going out into the local community today to check on residents in the area and provide Home Fire Safety Checks.

Ged Knock, Group Manager for Prevention at MFRS, said: “This was a very serious fire that has tragically resulted in someone losing their life. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.”

“With winter and Christmas under way, we know that many people are using candles to give their home that warm, cosy glow in the evening. But candles can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.”

“To prevent candle fires from starting in your home, you should make sure candles are placed in heat-resistant holders and kept away from combustible materials like curtains, carpets, and other fabrics. Don’t place tea lights or candles directly onto bedside tables, baths, or televisions unless they are in a holder.”

“Always ensure candles are fully extinguished when you leave the room, even if just for a moment, and NEVER leave candles lit when you go to bed. The safest way to use candles and tea lights is to use LED-battery operated ones instead of ordinary ones, but please make sure the batteries cannot be accessed by children or pets.”

Smoke alarms would potentially have alerted the occupier to the fire quickly before it could take hold and enabled them to get out of the house.

Group Manager Knock added: “The most important step you can take to keep yourself and your loved ones safe is to ensure your home has working smoke alarms. This is absolutely vital. Working smoke alarms can give you the time you need to escape. Make sure your exit routes are clear and that doors within your property are closed at night. These simple steps will allow you and your family to exit your home safely and quickly in the event of an emergency. Remember, in the event of a fire – get out, stay out and call 999.”

Top tips for staying safe with candles:

• Never leave lit candles unattended. Put burning candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re fully extinguished at night.
• Place your candles carefully. Take extra care with candles if you have children and pets – they can easily knock candles over or get burned. Make sure to place candles on a stable surface well away from flammable objects like curtains, furniture, bedding and books.
• Avoid lighting candles with matches. There is a risk of dropping the match into the candle which can cause ‘double wicking’ and cause the candle to burn faster and hotter than it is designed.
• Do not move candles once they are lit.
• Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause the flame to flare up and produce more heat than anticipated.
• Burn candles in a well-ventilated room, out of draughts, vents, or air currents. This will help prevent rapid or uneven burning, soot, and dripping.
• Always put scented candles in a heat resistant holder. These candles are designed to liquefy when heated to maximise fragrance.
• Fit smoke alarms and test them now and monthly. A working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999.
• Make sure that everyone in your home knows what to do if a fire should occur – practise your escape route.

For free fire safety advice, or to request a home fire safety check, please call 0800 731 5958.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service also provides free smoke alarms for Merseyside residents aged 65 and over.