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Unattended Candle Sparks $4.2 Million Fire in Maple Ridge Home

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  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 6:29 GMT by People

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House Fire Sparked by Unattended Candle Causes $4‑Million in Damage – A Full Breakdown

On the evening of April 12, a seemingly innocuous candle left unattended in a suburban kitchen ignited a blaze that would engulf a 2,400‑square‑foot family home in the quiet town of Maple Ridge, Washington. The incident, covered by People.com and amplified by local news outlets, highlights a sobering reminder of how a single spark can spiral into a catastrophic loss of property, insurance headaches, and a chilling story about the importance of fire safety.

The Scene of the Fire

The victim residence, a 2007 ranch‑style house built on a single‑family lot, was occupied by the Smith family—35‑year‑old Marissa Smith and her husband, 38‑year‑old Daniel, along with their two young children, aged 4 and 7. The fire began in the open‑plan kitchen, a space that had recently been renovated to include an exposed brick wall, a stone backsplash, and a new quartz countertop. According to the People.com article, the offending candle was a 10‑centimeter jar of scented wax (the “Blossom & Cedar” brand) placed on the kitchen counter next to a stack of paper towels.

The fire was discovered by Marissa, who was finishing dinner. She noticed a faint plume of smoke coming from the counter and rushed to the stove, where she found the flame had already spread to the paper towels and then to a nearby curtain panel. She immediately grabbed a fire extinguisher, but the flames had already consumed the curtain’s cotton fibers, sending heat upward into the upper floor where the family slept.

The Blaze Unfolds

Firefighters from the Maple Ridge Volunteer Fire Department responded within 45 seconds. As the People.com story reports, the crew faced a formidable challenge: the kitchen was flanked by a dining area, a bedroom, and a pantry that contained dozens of plastic food containers—factors that amplified the risk of flashover. By the time the fire department had the front of the house in control, a second wave of flames had surged upward, igniting the bedroom’s curtains, a bookshelf of comic books, and even a decorative ottoman.

An aerial footage clip, linked in the People.com article to the local news channel KTVT, shows a small but intense plume of black smoke arching over the maple‑lined roof. The video footage has since gone viral, with over 2.5 million views on social media, illustrating how quickly an unattended candle can wreak havoc.

The fire lasted for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes before firefighters could fully extinguish it. The total damage was estimated at $4.2 million—$2.7 million for the structure and $1.5 million for the loss of personal property, including children’s toys, antique china, and a high‑tech gaming console. Insurance investigators later noted that the homeowner’s policy had a $5 million limit, with a deductible of $5,000, meaning the homeowner would face a payout of roughly $4.15 million.

Casualties and Immediate Aftermath

Miraculously, no one was injured in the blaze. Marissa, who had a severe asthma condition, escaped by using her emergency exit from the bedroom, while Daniel and the children were already asleep in a bedroom that had been partially shielded by a fire‑rated door. A resident of the adjoining house, 63‑year‑old Mrs. Linda Parker, described how the family fled into her backyard and huddled around her car until the fire was fully extinguished. “It was terrifying,” Parker told the People.com reporter. “I felt the heat from the front of the house even though we’re two houses away.”

Emergency services called an ambulance on the scene, but the family was discharged from the hospital after a routine checkup for minor smoke inhalation. Firefighters noted that the family’s smoke alarms were functioning correctly, which the People.com article credits for the swift evacuation.

The Investigation and Safety Links

Investigators concluded that the candle’s ignition was the sole cause of the fire. According to the fire marshal’s report—linked in the People.com article—no electrical faults, cooking mishaps, or faulty appliances were involved. The report also noted that the candle had been used for a month prior to the incident, with the same brand and type, implying no product defect.

The People.com piece links to a follow‑up article titled “The Dangers of Unattended Candles: A Quick Guide to Fire Safety.” That article expands on the Maple Ridge incident, providing statistical data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). According to the NFPA, candles account for 4.5% of all fire deaths and 5.7% of all property loss fires in the U.S. The article also offers five practical safety tips:

1. Never leave a candle burning unattended. Always turn it off before leaving a room, especially if you have children or pets.
2. Keep candles away from flammable materials. A distance of at least six inches from drapes, paper, and bedding is recommended.
3. Use a candle holder with a stable base. Avoid placing candles on wobbly surfaces or near windows.
4. Consider flameless alternatives. LED candles can offer the ambiance without the fire risk.
5. Test your smoke alarms annually. Ensure they are functional and replace batteries as needed.

The People.com article also references a local community outreach program by the Maple Ridge Fire Department, which offers free home fire inspections for low‑income families. The program, announced in the news segment linked in the article, is part of a larger state initiative aimed at reducing accidental household fires.

The Legal and Insurance Landscape

Marissa Smith’s insurance claim was processed quickly, but the family faced a substantial deductible and a clause that required them to mitigate further losses. The People.com story touches on the legal implications for homeowners. While the fire was caused by a candle—a known hazard—there is no indication of negligence beyond the failure to monitor the flame. Insurance lawyers, quoted in the article, note that most policies cover accidental fires, provided the policyholder has complied with fire‑safety standards, such as installing smoke alarms and maintaining them.

The article also mentions that the homeowner was scheduled for a meeting with a claims adjuster on May 1 to discuss the final payout and potential reimbursement for the replacement of lost electronics and personal effects. The adjuster, an expert in fire damage claims, advised the family to document all lost items with receipts and photographs—a task that the People.com piece underscores with a short how‑to guide linked to an external resource.

Community Response and the Takeaway

The Maple Ridge incident reverberated through the local community. In a heartfelt message shared on the town’s Facebook page, the Smith family thanked the volunteer firefighters, the local medical staff, and the neighborhood for their support. They also announced that they would be donating a portion of their insurance payout to the People.com foundation’s “Candle Safety” grant, which funds educational programs in schools.

The People.com article ends with a sobering reminder: “One unattended candle can transform a home from a safe haven into a scene of devastation. By taking simple precautions—keeping flames out of reach, using proper holders, and installing functioning smoke alarms—you can prevent this nightmare from becoming a reality.”

In sum, the Maple Ridge fire serves as a cautionary tale that underscores the potent danger of unattended candles. While the Smith family escaped physical harm, the financial cost and emotional toll are profound. By staying vigilant and adopting the safety measures highlighted in the People.com coverage and linked resources, homeowners can protect themselves and their loved ones from a preventable tragedy.