Winnipeg, MB – At 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2019, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) crews responded to reports of a small fire in a townhome suite in the 0 to 100 block of Chesterfield Avenue. Upon arrival on scene crews discovered the fire had been mostly extinguished.
One individual was in the suite at the time of the fire. Paramedic crews treated the individual on scene and then transported them to hospital in unstable condition.
The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental due to combustibles being too close to a candle. The WFPS reminds residents to always be cautious when burning candles and to follow these tips:
- Never leave lit candles unattended.
- Keep candles away from any flammable materials, decorations, curtains, or other combustible material like bedding or cushions.
- Use approved non-combustible candleholders or bases, and place candleholders on a firm, non-slip surface.
- Avoid putting lit candles in a drafty area to prevent uneven burning and wax dripping.
- Extinguish a candle when it burns down to within two inches of its holder or base.
- Keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
- Keep wicks trimmed to half an inch and remove excess wax before storage. Long, crooked wicks can cause uneven burning and wax drippings