Reston Apartment Catches Fire Because Of Candle: Firefighters

RESTON, VA — An unattended candle set an apartment ablaze in Reston on Tuesday.

Firefighters responded to the 12000 block of Greywing Square at around 4:09 p.m. and found a four-story garden apartment with smoke evident from the top floor, according to a report from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue.

There were around 25 people in the building at the time, but the occupant of the apartment wasn't home -- the fire was discovered by a resident who saw smoke coming out of a window, the report states.

The resident pulled the fire alarm. It's not clear if the smoke alarm in the apartment sounded.

"Fire Investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature and started in the living room. The fire was caused from an unattended candle," the report states. "A total of three occupants were displaced because of the fire. One occupant from the unit that caught fire and two occupants from the unit directly below. Red Cross assistance was offered and accepted by all three. Damages as a result of the fire were approximately $25,000."

Firefighters provided the following tips on candles:

• Never leave burning candles unattended
• Keep all combustible materials away from open flames
• Do not burn candles near windows or doorways
• Place candles in glass or ceramic containers
• Place candles on a flat, sturdy non-combustible surface
• Never leave candles burning when children or pets are present

Unattended candles are a major cause of fires in the United States. From 2012 through 2016, fire departments responded to around 8,200 home structure fires each year caused by candles, according to the National Fire Protection Association. These fires annually caused 80 deaths, 770 injuries, and $264 million in property damage.

That works out to about 23 home candle fires reported each day in the country. New Year's Day, Christmas, and New Year's Eve are the top three days for candle fires.