A southside family will be spending Mother’s Day weekend cleaning up their Largo Woods home after an accident caused a candle to start a bedroom fire.
Savannah firefighters were sent to 801 Tibet at 11:30 a.m. Friday after a resident of the house said a pet dog knocked a lit candle onto the bed, said Mark Keller, Savannah Fire & Emergency Services spokesman.
The resident had left the candle unattended for a short period of time. She said she attempted to smother the flames with a blanket but was unsuccessful before she fled the house and called 911.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames quickly and contain the fire damage to the bedroom. Much of the rest of the house sustained smoke and water damage as a result of the fire. There were no injuries as a result of the fire and residents declined Red Cross assistance while arranging for alternate living arrangements.
Savannah Fire reminds citizens that candles are open flames that can easily ignite any flammable objects. Citizens are reminded of some safety tips while using candles:
Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn
Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily
Place candle holders on flat, sturdy, uncluttered surfaces
Avoid the use of candles in bedrooms and other areas where people may fall asleep
Also blow out candles before leaving a room or going to bed
Never leave lit candle unattended
Approximately one-third of all candle fires occur in a bedroom. Savannah Fire also reminds citizens to never attempt to extinguish fires themselves. Always exit the structure and call 911 from a safe distance. Citizens should formulate an exit plan and practice it at least twice a year.