FIREMEN warned about the dangers of candles today after two serious house blazes in Bolton.

Astley Bridge woman Moya Marrs, aged 31, had a lucky escape in the early hours when a candle sparked a fire which wrecked her living room.

And last night a bedroom at a house in Sharples was severely damaged after two family dogs knocked scented candles from a table igniting a bed-settee.

No-one was hurt in either blaze, but today the fire brigade told folk to be extra careful when dealing with candles.

A spokesman said: "Candles should only be used when really necessary and never be left unattended. They should also be made secure."

Ms Marrs, of Hartland Court, off Blackburn Road, woke at 1.40am to find a candle had sparked a fierce lounge blaze after falling on to an armchair.

She fled and raised the alarm, but her first floor flat was badly damaged.

Pet boxer dogs Polly and Ralph also sparked a fire in a bedroom at the Challans family home in Hamnet Close, Sharples.

The pair sneaked into the bedroom of 26-year-old Emma Challans at10pm and knocked the scented candles on to a bed-settee.

Emma said today: "The first we knew about it was when mum and dad spotted smoke.

"It was a real shock and I won't use the candles again."

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