Candle Causes Fire In Apartment Next To Greenwich Firehouse: FD

GREENWICH, CT — An unattended candle is to blame for a fire that broke out in an apartment next the Greenwich Fire Department over the weekend. Inspector Robert Roth said firefighters responded to the Havemeyer Place apartment around 9 p.m. on Saturday after neighbors reported hearing a smoke alarm go off.

Roth said the residents of the apartment were out of town and accidentally left the candle burning on a coffee table in the living room. Smoke damage within the apartment was "minor," as both the candle and surrounding material that caught fire burned itself out, Roth said.

"In this case, the residents were very lucky that damage was kept to a minimum," Roth said.

Roth warned residents to always extinguish candles when leaving their home and to never sleep with one burning, regardless of whether it is in a glass jar or freestanding.

"An open flame should never be left unattended," Roth said. "Within reason, if you're outside [a candle] should be extinguished."

According to a post on the department's Facebook page, 12 percent of candle fires occur in the month of December and involve seasonal holiday decorations.

Firefighters recommend using LED lights in place of candles when appropriate and keeping candles away from anything combustible. Matches and lighters should also be kept out of children's reach at all times.