Unattended candle burns down house - Merewether
Published: 08 Aug 2022 12:38pm
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have determined that a candle left unattended on a verandah caused a fire that destroyed a home in Newcastle yesterday.
Blown over by the wind, the candle set fire to a couch and the blaze quickly spread to the kitchen and loungeroom of the Caldwell Street home just after 8.33am.
The home's smoke alarms sounded and three people inside made it to the backyard where they were found by FRNSW crews and guided to safety.
Crews from seven fire trucks took less than an hour to contain the fire, which destroyed the single-storey house.
Fire and Rescue NSW is appealing all residents to ensure they have working smoke alarms in their homes.
Residents can contact their local fire station to book a home safety visit: https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=9316 [external link]
Firefighters can inspect your home, identify fire threats and install smoke alarms free of charge.
Updated: 30 Jan 2023 09:14pm
Related safety topics
The leading cause of home fires in NSW is leaving cooking unattended.
It“s the law to have at least one working smoke alarm installed on every level of your home.
Having a home escape plan and a working smoke alarm increases your chances of getting out safely.
Details about this incident may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice.
For all life threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000)
For flood information, warnings or requests for non-life threatening assistance, call the SES on 132 500 or visit the NSW State Emergency Service website here. [external link].
For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link]
Stations nearby
39 Llewellyn Street, Merewether NSW 2291
44 Union Street, Newcastle NSW 2300
49 - 51 Young Street, Carrington NSW 2294