A fire that sent seven people to the hospital from a triple-decker building in Brockton, Massachusetts, early Sunday was started by a candle, fire officials said.
A teenager was left in critical condition from the fire on Central Square road, from which five people hanging from windows were rescued, officials said Sunday.
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The fire was started accidentally, with a candle igniting flammable objects on a bedside table on the second floor, state and local fire officials said in a statement.
"This fire had every potential to be a terrible tragedy, and I want to recognize the outstanding work of Brockton firefighters in rescuing residents from the danger," Brockton Fire Chief Brian Nardelli said.
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State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey said candles start about 100 fires in Massachusetts every year, and "almost all of them can be prevented by using extra caution" or a battery-powered alternative light source or decoration.
Video taken by a neighbor overnight showed heavy flames pouring out of the home.
The fire gutted the building, which was left uninhabitable.
