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Whitney Houston fan issues candle warning after tribute blaze
A 53-year-old woman has warned candle users to be careful, after her tribute to Whitney Houston caused a fire which destroyed her living room.
Anne Lomax had been burning a candle for Houston, who died last weekend at the age of 48. However, the Oldham resident was woken by smoke alarms when the fire took hold.
"I had been sitting at the computer playing some music and saying a prayer for Whitney Houston," she explained. "I was a big fan and I was just devastated when she died so I thought I'd light a candle. I was listening to her music and my thoughts were with Whitney.
"I had a little tealight on the window sill. I thought I had blown it out when I went up to bed but the next thing I knew the smoke alarms were going off. I dread to think what would have happened if I didn't have smoke alarms. I could have died."
Lomax added: "Everyone has candles these days but you don't realise how dangerous they are. People should be careful with candles. I really thought I'd blown it out, I can't believe the damage it has caused. It's devastating."
Three fire crews attended the blaze. Watch Manager Rick Taylor said: "The blaze quickly spread from the curtains to the TV and electrics in the house. It caused thick black smoke but thankfully they had a working smoke alarm which gave them an early warning. We also managed to rescue three dogs from the property."
In a warning to other candle users, Chair of Greater Manchester Fire Authority, Councillor David Acton added: "Candle safety is so important. Never leave candles unattended, whether you're using them to decorate your home or as a religious symbol, they can be dangerous.
"Remember to extinguish candles before you go to sleep and make sure the candle is standing up straight and is in a proper holder so it can't fall over."
> Whitney Houston death - New Jersey to fly flags at half-mast
> Whitney Houston iTunes price increase a mistake, says Sony
Take a look through our gallery of Whitney Houston's musical achievements:
Anne Lomax had been burning a candle for Houston, who died last weekend at the age of 48. However, the Oldham resident was woken by smoke alarms when the fire took hold.
© Rex Features / KeystoneUSA-ZUMA
"I had been sitting at the computer playing some music and saying a prayer for Whitney Houston," she explained. "I was a big fan and I was just devastated when she died so I thought I'd light a candle. I was listening to her music and my thoughts were with Whitney.
"I had a little tealight on the window sill. I thought I had blown it out when I went up to bed but the next thing I knew the smoke alarms were going off. I dread to think what would have happened if I didn't have smoke alarms. I could have died."
Lomax added: "Everyone has candles these days but you don't realise how dangerous they are. People should be careful with candles. I really thought I'd blown it out, I can't believe the damage it has caused. It's devastating."
© Rex Features / Picture Perfect/Rex Features
© Rex Features / KeystoneUSA-ZUMA
Three fire crews attended the blaze. Watch Manager Rick Taylor said: "The blaze quickly spread from the curtains to the TV and electrics in the house. It caused thick black smoke but thankfully they had a working smoke alarm which gave them an early warning. We also managed to rescue three dogs from the property."
In a warning to other candle users, Chair of Greater Manchester Fire Authority, Councillor David Acton added: "Candle safety is so important. Never leave candles unattended, whether you're using them to decorate your home or as a religious symbol, they can be dangerous.
"Remember to extinguish candles before you go to sleep and make sure the candle is standing up straight and is in a proper holder so it can't fall over."
> Whitney Houston death - New Jersey to fly flags at half-mast
> Whitney Houston iTunes price increase a mistake, says Sony
Take a look through our gallery of Whitney Houston's musical achievements:
Image 1 of 13
Copyright: LENNOX MCLENDON/AP/Press Association Images
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