Fire at flats (From Warrington Guardian)

Fire at flats

INCENSE sticks left burning sparked a blaze, trapping an elderly man in his home and injuring a firefighter.

Firefighters had to break into a flat in Sunningdale Avenue, Widnes to rescue a deaf tenant who hadn't heard a smoke alarm. A fire had broken out in a ground floor bedroom below his home, just after 5am, on Wednesday, June 16. One firefighter received minor burns to his face.

"The incident is believed to have started from incense sticks left burning," said leading firefighter Keith Stockdale.

"Incense sticks, candles and any other naked light must be supervised at all times. If you leave the room or go to bed, these must be extinguished."

Fire crews spent two hours dealing with the incident.