Tealight candle fire destroys Brixham home

The house was completely gutted

It is believe that a devastating fire that tore through a terraced home in Brixham was started by a tealight candle. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to a large amount of smoke and a fire alarm sounding at a property in Marina Drive soon after 9.30pm on Saturday, October 12.

The fire quickly took hold and flames were soon seen engulfing the mid-terraced property. By 11pm that night, people were being told to stay away and keep windows and doors closed as firefighters called for extra resources to tackle the blaze.

A total of six fire engines were eventually on the scene, with crews from across Torbay, as well as Dartmouth, Totnes and Buckfastleigh. Nevertheless, by 6.45am on the morning of Sunday, October 13, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service reported that the the fire had been extinguished but the house had been completely destroyed by the blaze.

Today, Tuesday, October 16, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service told DevonLive that they believed that "the cause was accidental and started by a tealight candle".

An initial report of the incident said: "Fire control received a call to reports of a fire alarm sounding with smoke in the premises. Upon this information control mobilised three fire appliances.

"Crews arrived and saw smoke and flames issuing from the building and quickly made up for another appliance shortly followed by requesting an aeriel ladder platform and two more fire appliances to help tackle the fire.

"Crews are currently on scene and tackling the fire with six breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets, two safety jets, one covering jet, three thermal imaging cameras, small tools, and one triple extension ladder."

In an update to the first report, DSFRS said: "This incident is now closed. The mid-terraced property was completely destroyed in the fire."