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Candle causes fire that leaves family homeless

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service A bedroom destroyed by a fire. Shelves and wardrobes are blackened by fire damage, including their contents. The ceiling has partially collapsed.Essex County Fire & Rescue Service
The unattended candle set fire to nearby material in the bedroom

A family has been left homeless after a fire started by a candle in a bedroom.

The blaze took hold of the terraced house in Longmead Avenue in Great Baddow, Chelmsford, at about 13:20 BST on Saturday.

Firefighters said the candle was unattended and set fire to material surrounding it.

An Essex fire service spokesperson said the family was alerted by a smoke alarm and escaped unharmed.

Station manager Scott Fretton said crews worked quickly to stop the fire spreading next door.

"This incident highlights the dangers of leaving candles unattended; it only takes a moment for a naked flame to start a fire that can spread very quickly."

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