Candle sparked 3-alarm Brockton fire that sent 7 people to hospital, fire officials say
A three-alarm fire in Brockton that sent seven people to the hospital early Sunday, including a teenager in critical condition, started accidentally with a candle, fire officials said Monday.
“We believe the fire started with a candle, which ignited flammable items nearby,” Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli said.
Shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday, firefighters responded to the area of 25 Central Square for a report of a house fire.
When firefighters arrived, they found heavy fire on second- and third-floor of the triple-decker, with residents hanging from the windows of the third floor.
Firefighters rescued five people using ground ladders. A total of seven people were sent to area hospitals with varying injuries. Their conditions were not known Monday.
Firefighters knocked down the fire about an hour later.
An investigation found that Sunday’s fire began in a bedroom near the right rear corner of the second floor, and that it was caused by a candle that ignited flammable items on a bedside table.
Nardelli urged people to use extreme caution when burning candles at home.
“If you use candles at home, please remember to keep anything that can burn at least a foot away on all sides. Always place them on a sturdy, nonflammable saucer or candleholder. And never leave a burning candle unattended – always blow it out before you leave the room or go to sleep,” he said.
Candles cause about 100 fires each year in Massachusetts, said State Fire Marshal Ostroskey.
“Almost all of them take place in people’s homes, and almost all of them can be prevented by using extra caution,” Ostroskey said. “Even better, try battery-powered alternatives, like flashlights for emergencies and flameless candles for decoration and celebration. They’re much safer than an open flame.”
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