The flat downstairs from a rental flat we own has effectively been destroyed by fire. Cosmetically our flat is not badly damaged but we need to assess what unseen structural damage there is.

The downstairs tenant caused the fire with a candle / lantern in the hall and she has lost most of her furniture and goodness knows what else as well as a place to live. A lot of it is bagged up for rubbish collection.

The photos are of the burned flat, not ours. It is just shocking what damage can be done in a short time. Thank goodness no one was hurt.

It is a sharp reminder to be careful with candles this Christmas and always. They should never be left unattended.