Candle Lit During Power Outage Causes House Fire: Plainfield FD

WILL COUNTY, IL — A candle placed "too close to combustible materials" during a power outage sparked a fire that destroyed a house Thursday night in the 2400 block of Burbank Street in unincorporated Will County, according to the Plainfield Fire Protection District.

Firefighters were dispatched at about 10 p.m. to the one-story house to find fire showing from a bedroom window. All residents had evacuated safely and relocated to a neighboring house before crews arrived, officials said.

Firefighters extinguished the fire "quickly" and prevented further extension.

The department's investigation into the cause of the fire determined the house was without electrical power due to a fallen tree branch that damaged overhead power lines.

The Will County Building Department was notified of the uninhabitable home, officials said.

The fire department used the incident to remind locals to use candles "with extreme caution" and place them at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.

"Residents are encouraged to use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns as a safer alternative when electrical power is unavailable," officials said.