Candle caused fatal house fire in Wallasey, investigation finds
Firefighters are urging people to take extra care as winter approaches
A man has died in a house fire in Wallasey which has been found to have been caused by a candle.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service (MFRS) is now urging people to take extra care when using candles.
Fire crews were called to the fire on Beaufort Drive on the evening of Monday 19th October.
Firefighters arrived at 8.42pm to find the ground floor of a semi-detached house well alight, with smoke coming from the upper floor.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the house to search for anyone inside and tackle the fire.
A man was rescued and given emergency first aid, but he was pronounced dead by paramedics.
Crews also tried to resuscitate a dog, which died at the scene.
A joint investigation between MFRS and Merseyside Police found the fire was caused by a candle.
Candle fires across Merseyside
Between 1st October 2025 and 30th September 2026, there were 33 accidental house fires across Merseyside caused by candles.
Of these, 20 (61%) happened during the colder months between November and April.
A majority of them took place between 5pm and 6am.
MFRS Head of Prevention Kevin Johnson said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the man who lost his life."
Mr Johnson said: "Candles can create a warm and relaxing atmosphere in the home, particularly as the evenings get darker and winter approaches. However, if they are not used safely, they can quickly start a fire with devastating consequences."
Mr Johnson said: "We would urge everyone to think carefully about how and where they use candles. Never leave a lit candle unattended, always extinguish it when leaving a room or going to bed, and keep candles well away from anything that could catch fire."
Fire safety advice
MFRS is also urging people to make sure they have working smoke alarms, which can give them the time they need to escape.
The service says people should keep exit routes clear and close doors within their home at night.
In the event of a fire, the advice is to get out, stay out and call 999.
MFRS's top tips for staying safe with candles are:
Never leave candles unattended, and put them out whenever you leave the room, even for a short time, and before going to bed
Keep candles away from anything that can burn, including curtains, furniture, bedding and books
Use a suitable holder on a stable, heat-resistant surface where candles cannot easily be knocked over
Keep candles out of reach of children and pets
Never move a lit candle, and let it cool completely before handling it
Consider battery-operated LED candles as a flame-free option
Check you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and test them regularly