Candles set off smoke alarm in Worthing flat

Crews from Worthing were called to a flat in Nelson Road at 9.50am after neighbours heard a fire alarm sounding, smelt smoke and dialled 999.

The flat was locked.

Neighbours, who had initially raised the alarm, were unable to say if anyone was still inside.

Firefighters used a sledge hammer to enter the property and established it was empty.

The entire flat was smoke-logged and the cause was numerous small candles, sold as flea fumigators, which had been lit and placed around the property.

Firefighters put the candles out and cleared smoke from the flat with a fan.

Maisie Rudkin, crew manager from Blue Watch, Worthing urged people to read instructions on items, such as the candles, and to never to leave naked flames in an unattended property.

She said: "If the neighbours had not been alerted by the working smoke alarm then this incident could have been much worse."

West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service offer a free home fire safety check service. For details, call free phone 0800 3286487.