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Unattended Candle Sparks Early-Morning Charlotte House Fire — $325K Damage

People
08:59 PM, 12/09/2025
Unattended Candle Sparks Early-Morning Charlotte House Fire — $325K Damage

The Charlotte Fire Department says an unattended candle started a large house fire on Sylvania Avenue around 3 a.m. on Dec. 6. Thirty firefighters brought the blaze under control in about 45 minutes; no injuries were reported and one adult was assisted by the Red Cross. The department estimates roughly $325,000 in damage and warned that candle fires often begin when flammable items are too close or candles are left unattended. CFD urged residents to follow basic candle-safety precautions and consider safer alternatives.

An unattended candle ignited a large blaze that ripped through a home on Sylvania Avenue in Charlotte, North Carolina, in the early hours of Saturday, Dec. 6, the Charlotte Fire Department (CFD) said.

The CFD responded at about 3 a.m. to reports of a "heavy fire throughout the structure," according to a department news release shared on Instagram. Photos from the scene show flames reaching the roofline as crews worked to control the fire.

Cause and Response: Officials said the fire "began with an unattended candle." Thirty Charlotte firefighters brought the blaze under control in approximately 45 minutes. No injuries were reported, and the American Red Cross assisted one adult at the scene.

Damage Estimate: The department estimates the fire caused about $325,000 in property damage.

Safety Concerns and Guidance

The CFD warned that candle-related fires are a leading cause of residential blazes and are often more destructive than homeowners expect. The department cited national data showing that more than half of candle fires begin when something flammable is too close to the flame, and nearly one quarter start when candles are left unattended or misused. Candle fires frequently originate in bedrooms and can spread quickly through a home, contributing to a higher rate of injuries compared with many other common household fire causes.

CFD Recommended Precautions:

  • Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn.
  • Never leave a burning candle unattended; extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to sleep.
  • Use sturdy, noncombustible holders and place candles on stable surfaces out of reach of children and pets.
  • Consider safer alternatives such as battery-operated LED candles.

People magazine contacted the CFD for additional comment but did not immediately receive a response.

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