A Hanukkah menorah left unattended caused a house fire in Stamford Hill on Tuesday night.

The blaze was discovered after a neighbour heard a smoke alarm while the homeowners were out at a nearby synagogue.

It damaged the lounge and hallway of the house but no one was injured. Investigators say it was started due to the oil burners being left unattended.

Crews were called just after 10.30pm. Four engines and 21 firefighters were sent from Stoke Newington and Tottenham and the fire was under control in half an hour.

Watch manager Graham Beers, who was at the scene, said: “Candles, incense and oil burners are one of the most common causes of fire within homes It’s really important that you never leave a candle unattended and keep them away from curtains and anything else that can easily catch fire.

“It is also vitally important to have smoke alarms in your property. Everyone should have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of their home. This will give the earliest warning if there is a fire.

“As a minimum you should have smoke alarms on every floor - in the hallways and the rooms you use the most, plus a heat alarm in the kitchen.”