A Fire Safety Officer is appealing to families to be especially careful with candles following a fire in a Prestatyn flat in the early hours this morning (24^th April) where two people were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.  

Crews from Prestatyn and Rhyl were called to the flat on Victoria Avenue, Prestatyn at 4.03am this morning, Friday 24^th April, and used four sets of breathing apparatus, two hose reel water jets and a thermal image camera to tackle the blaze. The situation was under control by 5.07am this morning.

Gwyn Jones, Community Safety Manager for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "The cause of the fire is believed to be candles that had been left unattended; this morning's incident shows just how dangerous candles can be.

"Two of the occupiers have been taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, and every year so many adults and children are injured in accidents
where lighted candles have been left unattended.

"Candles left unattended are extremely dangerous - the small flame from a candle can cause a significant fire which can spread quickly. Luckily the occupiers did evacuate the scene before firefighters arrived, but the bedroom did suffer sever fire damage, along with smoke and heat damage throughout the rest of the property.

"Candles can be used in a number of different ways such as a source of light, heat or just decoration but it is important that people are aware of the dangers candles can pose.

"We advise people to use the battery operated tea lights, which can be purchased for a small cost and are battery operated instead of requiring a flame. These electronic candles are just as effective at creating an atmosphere but are much safer than a candle."

It is vitally important that residents follow the safety advice below when using candles:

.Never leave a candle unattended and remember to extinguish it before you go to sleep

. Make sure the candle is standing up straight and is fixed firmly so it can't fall over - scented candles turn to liquid so always burn them in a suitable glass or metal container that can withstand heat and that the liquid can't leak from

. Always place candles on a heat resistant surface

. Keep candles out of draughts, curtains and sources of direct hear or sunlight

. Always leave at least 10cm between candles and never place them under shelves or other surfaces

.Extinguish candles before they burn the holder

. Burn all candles well out of reach of children

. Always put candles out before you move them

. Always fit a smoke alarm to your property but consider an extra smoke alarm in rooms where candles are burnt regularly

. Don't lean across candles

. Outdoor candles should never be used indoors

. Don't play with candles by putting anything else into the hot wax.

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service staff will be carrying out home fire safety checks in the Victoria Avenue area today; If you would like a free home fire safety check and advice on fire safety in your home, please call North Wales Fire and Rescue Service's free 24 hour hotline on 0800 169 1234 or visit www.nwales-fireservice.org.uk or text 88365, ensuring you prefix your message with the word HFSC.