Unattended candle causes fire at Lealman home

Friday, December 25, 2009

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PINELLAS COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Fire investigators say an unattended candle has caused yet another fire in Pinellas County.

The Lealman Fire District was called to a blaze Thursday night at a home in the Garden Mobile Home Park on 31st Street N.

Authorities say the residents of the home, Larry Simmons and Mary Feijoo, were at a neighbor's home at the time of the fire and were not hurt.

Firefighters were able to put the fire out in about 15 minutes.

Earlier in the week an unattended candle started a fire that displaced residents at the Lake View Apartments on 22nd Avenue South.

And on Monday, a knocked over candle started a fire at the Edgewater Apartments on Pinellas Point Drive in St. Petersburg.

Candle safety tips

-St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue

Avoid using lighted candles.
If you do use candles, ensure they are in sturdy metal, glass, or ceramic holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked down.
Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
Set a good example by using matches, lighters, and fire carefully.
Children should never be allowed to play with matches, lighters or candles.
Never put candles on a Christmas tree.
Never leave the house with candles burning.
Extinguish candles after use.
Establish a fire-safe home, especially a safe sleeping environment.
NEVER leave burning candles unattended, in ANY ROOM.

Candle Statistics

-St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue

Candles cause an estimated 15,600 fires in residential structures, 150 deaths, 1,270 injuries, and $539 million in estimated direct property damage each year nationwide.
Over half (55%) of home candle fires start because the candle is too close to some combustible material.
More candle fires (38%) begin in the bedroom than in any other room.
Falling asleep is a factor in 12% of home candle fires and 26% of the associated deaths.
Half of all civilian candle fire deaths occur between midnight and 6 a.m.
December is the peak month for candle fires; Christmas is the peak day.
Young children and older adults have the highest death risk from candle fires.
The risk of a fatal candle fire appears higher when candles are used for light.

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