Firefighters have issued a warning to anyone who uses candles at home as a Colchester house has been left uninhabitable.

Firefighters were called to Dickenson Road, Colchester at 10.23am yesterday (May 27). 

On arrival, crews reported that a detached house was heavily smoke logged with a fire in an upstairs bedroom. 

The blaze started after wind caused a lit candle to catch a curtain alight and the fire and smoke spread throughout the house.

The occupants were in the room at the time and acted quickly to get out of the house, stay out and call 999. 

Crews tackled the flames for just over half an hour and extinguished the fire by 11.07am. 

Due to the smoke damage throughout the house, it has been left uninhabitable. 

An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman has warned: "If you use candles at home, please keep them away from anything they can catch alight like curtains, blankets, bedding etc."

David King, Lib Dem councillor for Mile End and leader of Colchester Council, says he trusts the council will act "swiftly" to help the occupants affected by the "shock" blaze.

He commented: "So sorry to hear of such a shock for the family and friends. Thank goodness not life or limb.

"These incidents can happen so easily to any of us. And they can change everything.

"I trust they will swiftly get help from the council if they are homeless or friends or family and wish them well."