Please be careful with Advent candles

The fire in an attic apartment on the Rigistrasse may have been triggered by an unattended candle. The Zug police advise everyone warns to be especially careful when dealing with candles, particularly in the Advent season.

A fire broke out in a loft on Tuesday evening, November 26, 2019. According to the investigations carried out so far by the forensic service and the fire investigators, a technical defect can be excluded, reports the Zug police in a press release. The investigations now centre on the possibility that an unattended candle may have been responsible for the fire. The apartment was almost completely destroyed by the fire, and is no longer habitable.

The police advise: Never leave a candle unattended

A gently flickering candle can easily set an apartment on fire within a very short time. Please note the following tips in the upcoming Advent season:

• Never leave candles burning unattended and blow out all candles before leaving the room.
• Ensure that candles are securely held in an upright position.
• Only use non-inflammable candle holders that are big enough to catch the liquid wax.
• Ensure candles are always at a reasonable distance from flammable objects (curtains, decorative materials, pine branches, tablecloths, etc.).
• Never leave children and pets unattended in the room with burning candles.
• Stand the candles upright on the Advent wreath and check that the candles are firmly attached to the wreath.
• Always place the Advent wreath on a fireproof surface.
• Replace the candles before they are completely burned down.