Chattanooga firefighters responded to a house fire around 3 a.m. on Wednesday at 2302 Wheeler Ave.
Upon arrival, Captain David Brooks with Engine 4 said there was dark smoke coming from one side of one-story, wood-frame house. As additional fire companies began to arrive on the scene, the firefighters made their way inside and found the fire in a bathroom, though the flames were beginning to spread to adjacent rooms. The fire was quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported.
All of the occupants of the home got out safely. Volunteers with the American Red Cross were called in to assist the six people who lived there.
The cause of the fire is being ruled accidental. One of the occupants told Captain Brooks that their power had been shut off and they were using candles for light. The dollar loss from the fire was estimated at $20,000.
From 2011-2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 8,700 home structure fires that were started by candles per year. These fires caused an annual average of 82 deaths, 800 injuries and $295 million in direct property damage. (Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Here are some safety tips related to candles:
- Whenever possible, use flashlights or flameless candles.
- Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that will burn.
- Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
- Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle.
- Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children's reach.