A BLAZE devastated a family’s home after an incense candle burned out of control.

The Gola family told how ‘shock turned to horror’ as they realised their Great Lever home was on fire.

Thirteen-year-old Maya was confronted by a massive wave of black smoke and flames. She said: “I was screaming fire, shouting to my brother, telling him to help.”

Deven, aged 18, was woken by his sister’s cries and called 999.

He said: “The room was filled with smoke. I saw a tint of orange. I thought I was dreaming. I grabbed Maya’s phone and called the fire brigade. They were here in minutes.”

The fire was started by an incense stick, which had been lit that morning at a small prayer altar. The plywood structure caught fire and the flames quickly spread.

Bolton Central watch manager Ian Read issued a warning about the use of candles and incense burners.

Maya was alerted to the blaze at home in Lever Edge Lane by a carbon monoxide alarm. She said: “I was upstairs on my phone. I could smell something but didn’t think anything of it.

“Then I heard an alarm going off. I came downstairs but when I opened the living room door a massive wave of smoke hit me. Everything was black.

“The only thing I could see beyond the next door into the dining room was orange.”

Three fire engines tackled the blaze on Saturday afternoon, preventing the fire spreading to the rest of the house.

The Gola family property has been left without gas and electricity, and the family is unable to stay at home for several weeks.

Homeowner Arvind Gola, aged 53, said: “I had dropped my wife off at work and had gone to Asda.

“As we returned home, we saw fire engines and we joked that our daughter had burnt the house down.

“But as we got closer, shock turned to horror.”

He added: “You don’t think that an incense stick can do this. We might have to switch to using an electric candle to keep ourselves safe.

“The only thing that saved us was the carbon monoxide alarm.”

GMFRS urged homeowners to ensure they have working smoke alarms fitted throughout.

The carbon monoxide detector in the house did not activate for ‘a considerable amount of time’ as the device was in an adjacent room.

Mr Read said: “If there had been smoke alarms present the fire damage wouldn’t have been as severe.

“The delay meant the fire had time to fully engulf the dining room and spread through to the front room and hallway.”

“It is very lucky that the door from the front room to the hallway and stairs was closed.”

He gave advice about the risks of using incense burners and candles. Mr Read said: “Having such a diverse community with differing cultures and faiths I am seeing a growing trend in incidents involving ornamental candles and incense burners and would like to help people understand the dangers that these items can pose. If used correctly they are fine, but when placed on flammable surfaces the results can be severe and even life threatening.

“The small model prayer structure was made out of thin plywood making the structure flammable resulting in the fire.”

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) were supported by the British Red Cross fire and emergency support vehicle, which gave food and clothing to the family.

The Gola family’s insurance company is putting them up in a hotel until Tuesday.