Yakima Firefighters say a house fire Monday night was started by a burning candle. Capt. Jeff Pfaff says the fire at 923 South 26th Avenue was reported at about 11:35 p.m. and the residents were awakened by a working smoke detector and able to escape. Pfaff says it was an accidental fire. "This time of year especially during the holidays there's a lot of religious stuff going on and some people light a candle and leave it burning all night long."
Pfaff says the family is being helped by other family members and the Red Cross.
Pfaff says candle fires are common at this time of year. In fact from 2009-2013, fire departments responded to an estimated 9,300 home structure fires that were started by candles. The fires caused 86 deaths, 827 injuries and $374 million in direct property damage.

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