A MAN was taken to hospital after unattended tea light candles caused a fire to break out at a house on Oxford Road in Burnley on Thursday night.

Fire fighters from Burnley fire station were called out just before 8.30pm after the occupants heard the fire alarm sounding, and crews were on the scene within a minute and a half.

Acrid smoke was seen coming from the windows, and fire fighters had to use breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze.

The fire was caused by unattended tea light candles, which had been placed directly onto a non-insulated surface.

Fire crews had the blaze under control quite quickly, but remained on the scene for 30 to 45 minutes.

One man was taken to hospital as a precaution after suffering from smoke inhalation, but his condition is not thought to be serious.

Watch manager Steve Harrison said: “This fire could have been a lot worse.

“Candles should never be left unattended, and they should always be placed on a glass saucer or another insulated material designed for that purpose.

“In this instance the occupant heard that the smoke alarm had gone off. The smoke alarm did the job.

“Smoke alarms save lives and stop damage to property.

“They should always be fitted and regularly tested, even if they’re wired into the mains as this one was, as they can go faulty.”