Firefighters have issued a warning after a viral TikTok trend of building home-made heaters from tealights and pots was blamed for causing a devastating flat fire.
The trend, which involves using tea lights or candles to heat up terracotta plant pots, has garnered millions of views of likes on the app as people search for cheap ways to warm their home during the cost of living crisis. But, experts have criticised their effectiveness while fire services across the country have strongly warned against their use.
Fire chiefs have spoken out about the dangers of the trend after more than 50 people were evacuated from a blaze, Wales Online reported. Three crews were called to attend the fire at 7.25pm to the fourth floor property in Derby while the owner was out.
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An investigation has found the fire was caused by the failure of a makeshift heater, which used tea lights to heat up terracotta pots. Content creators have been posting instructional videos on the popular social media app claiming they are a cheap way to heat homes.
Station manager Barclay Masterson, of Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, 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.”
A Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service spokesperson added: "Although the occupant of the flat was given the device, she did not know just how dangerous they can be. Hacks like this claim to save you money, but instead you risk your life. Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service strongly discourages people from making or using DIY heaters, especially those which rely on the use of naked flames."
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Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service also warned on the dangers surrounding the hack after posting a comment to a video on social media. The service said: “We’d strongly recommend that people don’t try this."
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