Firefighters are urging people to be careful with candles after a house fire in Stoke-on-Trent.

Fire engines from Hanley and Sandyford were called to reports of a fire in a first floor bedroom at a semi-detached house on High Lane, Burslem, just after 7pm last Thursday.

The bedroom of the house was severely damaged - but due to the fact the family had working smoke alarms they evacuated safely no one was injured.

A subsequent investigation by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service revealed the blaze had been caused by a candle which had been left too close to a television and clothing.

Group Manager Ian Housley said: “Fortunately this property had working smoke alarms and the family were alerted to the fire early on which meant we were called at the earliest opportunity.

"Although there is significant damage to the bedroom where the fire started, the smoke alarms and the fact the internal doors were closed, prevented it from being far worse.

“Thankfully in this case no one was hurt but this incident serves as a stark reminder not to leave lit candles anywhere near flammable items and to always keep them in an appropriate holder.”