Children playing with candles blamed in apartment fire

By Kyle B. Hansen

Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011 | 9:40 a.m.

Two children playing with candles started a fire that damaged two apartments in the eastern valley Tuesday night, Clark County Fire Department officials said.

Firefighters were called to the Sunrise Pines Apartments, 5275 Hagemann Lane, near Bonanza Road and Nellis Boulevard, at 9:10 p.m., county spokeswoman Stacey Welling said.

When they arrived, heavy fire was coming from a second-floor apartment. An adult and two children younger than 8 years old were able to escape from the apartment unharmed, Welling said.

The fire caused about $20,000 in damage to the apartment and displaced the three residents. A neighboring apartment received water damage, displacing another adult and three teenagers. The Red Cross is assisting the displaced residents.

The children told fire investigators they were playing with candles in the apartment bedroom when bedding material caught fire, Welling said.

“It’s fortunate no one was injured in this incident but it serves as a good reminder of the danger that candles, lighters and other fire-starting materials pose in the presence of children,” Clark County Fire Chief Bertral Washington said in a statement.

Fire officials said parents should store matches and lighters out of the reach and sight of children, and in a locked cabinet if possible. In addition, adults shouldn't use lighters or matches to amuse children, who may try to imitate the play.

The fire department also suggests only using lighters with child-resistant features and says parents should teach children to explain that they are only for adults.