Half a Stoke Newington flat has been destroyed by a fire believed to have been started by a candle.
It took 21 fire fighters using four fire engines around an hour to fight the blaze in Shacklewell Road on Saturday night.
It is believed to have been caused by a candle left burning in the loft.
Although half the flat was damaged no one was injured.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: “Candles can be lovely but they need to be used with care and respect – they are naked flames, which can be very dangerous.
“Never leave them burning without supervision and blow them out whenever you leave the room.
“Make sure you use proper candle holders and keep them well away from anything that could catch fire.”
Crews from Stoke Newington, Leyton, and Kingsland fire stations attended the blaze. Kingsland is one of 10 fire stations in the capital which will be closed under the Mayor of London Boris Johnson’s cost-cutting measures.
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