CANDLE IGNITES COSTLY FIRE BLAZE CAUSES $225,000 DAMAGE TO HOUSE, CONTENTS.

Byline: Sylvia L. Oliande Staff Writer

A Glendale family was homeless Monday because a candle left burning sparked a fire, prompting the fire chief to warn that while candles make for a beautiful ambience, they can be dangerous as well.

``We see people using candles more for the holidays and the wintertime,'' said Glendale Fire Chief Steve Howard. ``I use candles at my house. . . . They're nice. They put off a nice aroma, a nice glow. But it's when they're used improperly that they're a problem.''

Howard said the highest rate of candle-related fires occurs in the next four months, especially in December. And, of course, there's Halloween.

Howard did not know how many Glendale fires have been attributed to candles but said that one person died last fall in Glendale in one such household blaze.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, candles are one of the leading causes of fatal fires, along with smoking and children playing with matches.

The association reported that nationally an average of 8,690 candle-related fires occurred each year from 1993 to 1997, the most recent statistics available. On average, there were 104 deaths per year, 974 injuries and $126 million in property damage. In 1997, the last year for which statistics are available, the number of home fires started by candles reached a 17-year high.

A city Fire Department spokesman in Los Angeles, Bob Collis, said the number of candle-related fires increases each year around December in the city.

He recalled at least one fire last year sparked by a menorah during a Hanukkah celebration.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Mike Brown said the department's education programs on fire prevention emphasize the problem with candles.

Officials warn that candles should be placed in an open area - away from flammable material and on a secure base that won't topple over - and should never be left unattended.

In the Glendale fire started by a candle Sunday, flames were shooting out of every opening in the home when firefighters arrived just after 7:30 p.m., Howard said. He said all in the family had safely fled the home in the 200 block of Irving Avenue.

The American Red Cross helped put the family up in a local hotel and is working to get clothing and other essentials to replace what was burned. The fire destroyed the kitchen, living room and a bedroom, causing $125,000 worth of damage to the property and $100,000 to the contents, primarily from smoke damage.

Howard said he it was unclear where candles were burning and how one ignited the fire, but the residents were clear that one or more did.