THE cause of a catastrophic house fire has been revealed.

Four people had to be rescued from the burning building in Leicester Villas, Hove, as the blaze raged in the early hours of Tuesday.

It has now been revealed the fire started from a candle.

Following the news, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning to people about using candles in their homes.

A spokesman said: “Candles may seem a harmless aesthetic addition to your home but, if left unattended, they can cause a serious house fire, resulting in personal injury, property damage or even worse.

“We can’t stress enough how important it is to follow safety advice to avoid becoming a statistic.

“Some people are unaware that if you do not place a candle in a heat-resistant holder and on a stable surface, the heat can quickly burn through plastic, or other material, creating a fire which could quickly become out of control. If a naked flame is placed too close to curtains or home furnishings then a fire can quickly take hold and rapidly spread.”