August 23, 2010 - SFD Responds to Quinton Street Fire
Unattended Candle Likely Cause of House Fire

The Shreveport Fire Department responded to 2919 Quinton Street at 9:37 PM for a reported bed on fire. Fire crews arrived within four minutes to find flames and smoke coming from a back bedroom in a one story wood frame home. Fire attack crews enter the home and found a back bedroom and part of the kitchen on fire as well as the attic space above the bedroom. The fire was brought under control at 9:51 PM.

The home was occupied at the time by a mother and her approximately three year old daughter. Both escaped without injury. The mother stated she had lit a candle in the bedroom, left momentarily, then returned and found the curtains on fire in the bedroom. An investigator was on scene to confirm this cause of the fire. The home suffered heavy fire damage to the involved bedroom and kitchen area, as well as heavy smoke damage throughout.

Candle Statistics
In U.S. homes, candles caused an estimated 17,200 reported structure fires, 200 civilian deaths, 1,540 civilian injuries, and $200 million in estimated direct property damage. (Homes include one and two-family dwellings, apartments and manufactured housing.)*
· FACT: The majority of candle fires result from human error and negligence.
· Over half (55%) of home candle fires start because the candle is too close to some combustible material.
· More candle fires (38%) begin in the bedroom than in any other room.
· Falling asleep is a factor in 12% of home candle fires and 26% of the associated deaths.
· Half of all civilian candle fire deaths occur between Midnight and 6am.
· Young children and older adults have the highest death risk from candle fires.
Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
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