A trick candle for a birthday cake reignited in the trash can and caused a house fire in Hollywood on Tuesday morning, a resident said.
Firefighters responded to the kitchen fire in the 2700 block of Wiley Street about 8 a.m., according to Battalion Chief Chris Del Campo, of Hollywood Fire Rescue.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, he said, and it is still too early to know whether the resident’s account can be substantiated. The fire was contained to the kitchen where walls, cabinetry and a refrigerator were charred and residents tried to clean up the soggy mess.
Resident Maxine Sutherland wants the destruction to serve as a safety lesson for others, she said.
Sutherland’s adult daughter was celebrating her sister’s birthday with cake early in the morning and then tossed the trick candle in the trash.
“They thought they put out the candle,” Sutherland said.
But instead the candle seemingly reignited amid garbage after everyone in the home had left, Sutherland said.
Despite the damage, she’s thankful no one was hurt, she said.
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