A MAN has been left homeless just days before Christmas after a flat fire caused by a candle placed on top of a television.

Firefighters say it is the latest in a series of candle-related fires in Greater Manchester over the past few weeks.

The man was asleep in the bedroom of his Bolton flat when he was woken by his smoke alarm in the early hours of this morning.

Firefighters from Bolton Central and Bolton North were called to the third-floor flat in Haydock Street just before 5am.

The 44-year-old man, who was alerted to the fire by his smoke alarm, had managed to get out of the building before firefighters arrived.

He was suffering slight effects of smoke inhalation but was not seriously injured.

The candles had set fire to the television and the curtains – and left the bedroom badly smoke damaged.

Karsten Boyle, watch manager at Bolton Central fire station, said: “The man had been celebrating his birthday and had placed a tea-light candle on top of the TV and then fallen asleep.

“The candle melted and burned through TV and set fire to the curtains.

“Luckily the man was woken by a smoke alarm and managed to escape but the fire caused considerable damage to the bedroom and the man will have to be rehomed.”

Three fire engines were sent to the flat, which is just outside the town centre, and four flats were evacuated for a short time.

Firefighters will be visiting flats to offer reassurance and carry out home safety checks.

Chairman of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, Cllr David Acton, said: “This man is so lucky that he had a working smoke alarm that woke home from his sleep and potentially saved his life. This could have been a far more devastating incident.

“There have been a number of fires caused by candles over the past couple of weeks and it’s a miracle that nobody has been more seriously injured.

“Can I remind people again never to put candles on top of a TV or bathtub and to ensure they are fully extinguished before going to bed.

“We want people to have a happy Christmas and at this time of year lots of people are using candles – but please ensure it’s a Christmas to remember for the right reasons by taking extra care with candles and ensuring you have a working smoke alarm.”