BY IAN ROSS

FIRE officers are warning of the potential dangers of candles after a blaze in a Congleton house.

More than a thousand homes in the town were plunged into darkness on Saturday evening after a power failure.

Residents in one of the houses decided to light candles until the power came back on.

Unfortunately a candle placed on top of a television set fire to the TV, sparking a call to the fire brigade.

Two tenders turned out, but the fire was out by the time they arrived, and no-one was injured.

The fire started at 8pm in a first floor bedroom in Borough Road, 30 minutes after 1,075 properties in Buglawton and Bromley Farm lost their power.

A press officer for GPU Power UK, formerly Midlands Electricity, said power was restored to most of the homes affected by 9.40pm, and the remainder by 11.15pm.

She added that the power failure was caused by a fault in a pole box, equipment which is attached to a wooden pole carrying overhead lines.

The roads affected by the power cut included Bailey Crescent, Fern Crescent, Bath Vale, Crayford Avenue, Harvey Road and Timbersbrook.

People are urged to place candles away from curtains and draughts, never leave burning candles unattended, and put them in holders which cannot fall over.