Unattended Candle Sparks Fire Causing $50K in Damage

A fire ignited by an unattended candle at a downtown Laurel salon early Wednesday morning caused $50,000.

This is the third fire in Prince George’s County that has started from a candle within the last month, said Mark Brady, Prince George’s County Fire and EMS spokesman, according to a news release. A fire at a Mount Rainier home was started by burning incense left unattended, and a Capitol Heights home was severely damaged after a candle started a blaze there.

Another unattended candle left burning for seven hours gutted a Laurel apartment on Fifth Street in February, said Dave Cope, Laurel fire marshal. That makes the fire Wednesday morning at Shear Bliss Salon, 109 Second St., the fourth this year related to a burning candle.

“Candles are very popular in homes these days, but people need to read the instructions on how to use them safely,” Cope said. “Don’t let them burn longer than you’re supposed to, or near anything that can catch fire.”

Fire officials are warning residents and business owners to extinguish all flammables prior to leaving a room.

Photo Credit: Laurel Police Department Facebook