WASHINGTON — An Northeast D.C. apartment building went up in flames Wednesday. Now, fire investigators know what sparked the blaze. Firefighters with DC Fire and EMS says the fire was caused by an unattended candle.
Fire crews were called to the 5800 block of Field Place Northeast for a report of a fire in a three-story apartment building around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. When firefighters got to the scene, they found flames coming from the second floor. Responding fire crews were able to quickly get the fire under control and no injuries were reported a result.
A total of 23 people were displaced by the fire and required help from the American Red Cross.
The U.S. Fire Administration offers the following tips to be candle safe:
- Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.
- If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be knocked down easily.
- Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns.
- Blow out candles when you leave a room or home, or when you go to bed.
- Don't use lit candles in bedrooms, bathrooms and sleeping areas.
- Use flashlights, not candles, if you have a power outage.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, on average, 20 home candle fires are reported each day.