A DISABLED woman had to be rescued from a fire after she accidentally knocked a scented candle off her bedside table and it set light to her bedroom floor.

Firefighters carried the wheelchair-user, in her forties, to safety before she was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Worthing watch manager Steve Crockett said he was “extremely relieved” the outcome was not more serious and warned people about the dangers of home candles.

He said: “It's easy to be complacent about the danger of candles because they are such a common sight in people's homes.

“However, wherever there is a naked flame, there is always a fire risk. We'd always urge people to keep candles well away from anything flammable like bedding or clothing and to make sure they are kept in suitable, sturdy holders on a stable surface.”

The woman managed to raise the alarm herself but also had a ‘Firelink’ smoke detector in her home meaning that a 24-hour monitoring centre was automatically alerted.

To find out if you, or someone you care for, is eligible for a Home Fire Safety Check, call 0845 872 9719 or visit www.westsussex.gov.uk/fire.