The Fire Service is warning people to take extra care during Christmas following last year’s glut of call-outs to candle-related fires.

Firefighters were called to 17 fires caused by candles across West Yorkshire last December.

On Wednesday firefighters were called to a house in Mitchell Terrace, Bingley, after an unattended candle fell over and set fire to books and paper on a desk.

Crew manager Ian Jackson said five young people, from the age of 12 to 19, were inside the house when the fire started but left the building without injury.

He also said a smoke alarm was fitted in the house but was not working properly.

He said: “People need to make sure their smoke alarms are working.”

Of the 17 fires started by a candle last December across West Yorkshire, five were in Bradford.

Assistant chief fire officer Craig McIntosh, director of community fire safety, said: “If you don’t have a working smoke alarm, you are more than twice as likely to die in a fire.

“Of those who do own a smoke alarm, the vast majority do not check them regularly, which can be just as dangerous.”

The fire service offers free home fire safety checks to everyone, which involves fitting free smoke alarms.

Mr McIntosh said the service was also targeting drivers, asking them to take greater care over the festive period.

He said: “We would urge motorists to take care on the roads this festive season and, as our campaign says, celebrate safer.”

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