A FIRE destroyed a bathroom at a house in Bury after a candle was left burning throughout the night.

Mr Peter O'Gordon was taken to Bury General Hospital suffering the affects of smoke after the blaze which happened at 3am this morning.

The 34-year-old was asleep in his bedroom when an aromatherapy candle either ignited a towel or a bath ornament and started the fire.

Mr O'Gordon did not have a smoke alarm but he managed to wake up and made his way to safety.

Two fire crews from Bury dealt with the blaze which destroyed the bathroom and caused heavy smoke damage to the first floor of the house in Benson Street.

Station Officer Paul Myerscough said people who use candles as a form of relaxation must ensure that smoke alarms are fitted.

He said: "Too many fires these days are started by candles which have been left unattended by their users who have gone to bed or have just fallen asleep on the couch. These candles may be nice to look at and therapeutic but, left unattended, they can be killers."