Firefighters have issued a grave warning after a disastrous TikTok 'hack' resulted in a fire breaking out in a flat in Derby. The dangerous viral trend of using tea lights and terracotta to heat your home ended in chaos after a blaze started at Prosperity House, Gower Street, on November 30 at around 7.25pm, the Derby Telegraph reports.
The lone occupant of the fourth-floor flat in which the fire started was outside their home when three crews from Kingsway, Nottingham Road and Ascot Drive were called out to the scene. Another 50 residents were evacuated from the building during the incident.
An investigation discovered that the cause of the fire was down to a gifted homemade heater made from tea lights to heat terracotta pots. The DIY heater was a result of a viral TikTok trend that people are using as an alternative way to heat their homes.
Fire investigator, Station Manager Barclay Masterson, said: “Although these hacks may look like a good way to save money on heating bills, they are very dangerous and we would urge people not to follow the videos posted online.
"Luckily, in this instance, the occupiers witnessed the failure of the homemade device and evacuated the flat safely before calling 999 – but it could have been very different, and I would therefore like to remind everyone of the dangers that DIY heaters pose. Candles and tea lights increase the risk of fire in your home and should not be used for anything other than their intended purpose.
"They should be put in heat-resistant holders that hold the candle or tea light firmly and placed on a flat, stable and heat-resistant surface. On this occasion, the heat released from the base of the tea lights was enough to weaken the terracotta plates they were placed on, causing the homemade device to collapse and the melted wax to ignite. Using tea lights like this could also cause serious burn injuries, not only from the heated terracotta pots but from the naked flames produced.”
Tutorial videos encouraging users to make these cheap DIY heaters are being posted across TikTok with many not realising just how dangerous this 'money saving' hack can be.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service have issued a warning to warn people of the dangers of using or making DIY heaters, particularly those which use naked flames. If you must use candles and tea lights for heat or light this winter, it's advised to follow these safety tips:
- Never leave candles and tea lights unattended when burning, especially around children or pets
- Make sure they aren’t burning close to curtains, bedding, clothing or plants which might catch fire
- Extinguish all candles before going to sleep
- Place them in a well-ventilated room but away from vents and air currents which may cause rapid flame flare-ups or blow lightweight curtains or papers into the flame
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