A FAMILY were forced to extinguish a fire at their home in Little Hulton after a candle became so hot that it cracked a glass shelf and fell.

Firefighters who attended the incident in Carrfield Avenue at 2pm on Thursday have warned that lit candles should never be placed on conductive surfaces.

After falling from the shelf, the candle set alight some photos beneath, causing the room to fill with smoke.

By the time fire crews from Atherton had arrived the fire had been put out, and the four people in the house all escaped uninjured.

Watch manager David Holden said: “It was only a small fire and the family had been evacuated, but the living room was full of smoke and we used a positive pressure ventilation fan to remove it.

“We would advise everyone to ensure that whatever base they leave their candles is not a heat conducting surface otherwise there can be a situation like this.”