Candlelight caused a fire to light up a house close to Tanaka Road over the weekend.

The candlelight has been the suspected cause of the fire incident that lit up a residence close to Tanakake Road, Panatina, in east Honiara over the weekend.

Supervising Director of Fire and Rescue Services of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF), Inspector James Ketaru, said it was alleged that the cause of the fire was from the candle.

Director Ketaru said the information gathered from the house occupants is that their cash power went off in the evening, so they lit a candle and put it in the house whilst they went to a nearby neighbourhood market.

Inspector Ketaru said the report was received, and the Fire and Rescue Service of the RSIPF has responded and partly contained the house fire incident.

"I appeal to the general public to practice good housekeeping to prevent unnecessary fires that will cost their properties and even, in worst-case scenarios, lives,” said Mr. Ketaru.

He said when lighting a candle, put it on the candle stand. For mosquito coil, put it on its provided stand. These actions sound little but can cost properties and lives when neglected.

Think safety, act safety!

The Fire and Rescue Service emergency lines are 988 and 24476; both are toll-free lines.