A man needed to be given oxygen as a result of a house fire caused by an unattended candle falling over onto a linen basket last night.

The bathroom of a property in Hedsor Road, Hedsor, was severely damaged after a fire broke out shortly after 10pm.

The man was given oxygen after suffering badly from the effects of breathing in the smoke generated by the fire.

Crews of firefighters from High Wycombe and Beaconsfield fire stations attended the incident. They said smoke and fire damage was caused to around half of the first floor of the property.

Watch Commander Paul Casey from Beaconsfield fire station said: "The gentlemen ran a bath and then lit a few candles, including a large church-style candle.

"He placed this without a suitable holder on top of his linen basket and then went downstairs to make a drink and watch television while the bath cooled down.

"The candle subsequently tipped over and caught the basket alight, and the fire and smoke caused a lot of damage to the first floor.

"The gentlemen had smoke.alarms installed but the batteries were not working. The fire may have been detected a lot more quickly if the smoke alarms had been working, and the damage may not have been so severe."

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus put out the fire with a hose reel and used a fan to help clear the smoke.

Mr Casey added: “Lit candles should be placed carefully in proper holders, away from anything that can catch fire. Always remember to put them out when you leave the room, even for a moment."