WHILE most people were relaxing after lunch on Christmas Day, Malvern firefighters were tackling blazes around the district.

Sub Officer Chris George said they managed to eat a Christmas lunch before being called out, first to a chimney fire in Cradley and then to a blaze caused by burning candles in Malvern.

"The chimney fire was pretty straightforward. The owner did himself a favour by putting a hosepipe down the chimney, so he made our job a lot easier, said Sub Officer George.

"But our message is to have your chimney swept regularly."

"Wood burning fires leave a lot of soot deposits in the chimney and so they should really be swept every six months."

The fire in Lower Howsell Road, Malvern, was caused by a Christmas candle display.

Sub Officer George said: "We do ask people to be careful with candles, especially as they seem to be more popular.

"This display was a large one in the middle of a dining table. It burnt through the cloth and damaged the table and the ceiling above it was blackened by the smoke, but everyone in the house was safe. "These displays do need to be watched and people should be careful about where they place them."