A HEARTBROKEN mother who returned from a shopping trip to find her home gutted by a fire has warned others to be wary - after the devastating blaze was sparked by a single tea light.
Fire crews from Barnsley, Cudworth and Dearne stations rushed to Tara White’s home on Hillside Crescent, Brierley, at about 7.30pm last Tuesday and spent more than two hours battling the flames.
The 38-year-old revealed her daughter, Taylor, 13, had lit the tea light in her bedroom but a nearby blanket caught alight.
However, damage from the smoke and flames had destroyed the family’s belongings.
Mother-of-three Tara, who is now currently living in a hotel, told the Chronicle: “Losing my house has devastated me - all our memories from the last 20 years have been destroyed.
“I’ve lost all my daughters’ first teeth and first curls.
“I am heartbroken for the memories we won’t ever be able to get back.
“It has been the most traumatic experience in my life.”
A fundraising page has been set up for the heartbroken family.
She added: “It’s really hard to be strong but I know that I must be for my children who are relying on me to make everything okay.
“I will forever be grateful that my daughter and dog are safe and nobody got hurt.
“I can only focus on moving forward and getting through this difficult time.”
Tara has also taken the chance to warn other people to be safe with candles in their homes.
She added: “Anything to help raise awareness for others’ safety would be great.
“I never, ever believed this would happen to us but people never do and hopefully this incident could save someone else’s home in the future.”
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue confirmed that neighbours were evacuated due to fears that the fire was going to spread next door after Tara saw smoke appearing from the attic, but the fire brigade were able to put out the fire in time.
A spokesperson said: “Please keep your candles well away from anything flammable.
“Should you use candles, you need be extremely careful and don’t leave lit candles unattended in a room.
“Keep tea lights in a heat-resistant holder on a stable surface.
“Never put them on plastic surfaces that they can melt through, like TV tops and baths.
“Smoking and candle fires are relatively infrequent, but they remain the leading cause of fatal house fires.”
