I WILL have a scented candle beside a relaxing bath after a hectic day - or so I thought. I lit the candle, making sure to keep the flame away from the curtains, etc.

While sitting in the living room, I could smell the delicious aroma of 'Autumn Woodsmoke.'

When I opened the bathroom door, I was met with flames and black smoke! The shower screen had combusted and melted into the bath, set fire to the curtains and even the batten holding the curtain track. The room was ablaze!

I managed to put out the flame, but the smoke was horrible and the toxic fumes overpowering.

I ended up in hospital with smoke poisoning, on oxygen. Take heed - mind those candles!

MICHELLE PICKERING, Olympia Street, Burnley.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.