A HOUSE fire caused by a candle razed a home situated beside the Janfull International Dateline Hotel at around 4:00 am this morning, March 10. Fortunately, the occupants including a mother and her one-year-old baby escaped without injuries.

The Acting Chief Fire Officer Samuela Huni confirmed on May 10, the home belonged to a widow 'Esa Paongo residing in Hawaii. Her sister Mafi and her daughter 'Ana and grandchild occupied the home.

He confirmed the fire was caused by a burning candle that was placed on a plastic stand in a room occupied by 'Ana and her baby.

Early report said that 'Ana fell asleep and woke up at 3am and the lit candle had burnt through the plastic and the fire had extended to the mattress where she was sleeping with her baby.

She grabbed her baby and escaped with her mother unharmed while the fire destroyed the wooden house.

The Acting Chief Officer said the occupants were very lucky to have escaped the fire and that it was the most important thing. At the same time he cautioned people from placing candles on plastic stands as it would burn through and was dangerous.

The Nuku'alofa Fire Services received the call reporting the fire around 4am from a security guard at the Tonga National Reserve Bank.

The loss of the house and contents are estimated at $80,000 pa'anga.