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Burning candle falling onto bed sparked Ettrick apartment fire

Posted at 1:25 PM, May 25, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-25 19:06:08-04

ETTRICK, Va. (WTVR) -- Chesterfield fire crews said a burning candle was to blame for sparking a fire at an Etterick apartment building Saturday night.

According to Lt. Jason Elmore, firefighters responded to the River Terrace apartments in the 20800 block of River Terrace Road around 8 p.m.

That's where crews spotted heavy flames coming from one of unit's bedroom.

Amy Selph, who lives across the street from the apartment complex,  told CBS 6 News' Jake Burns that she came running when she saw flames through a window and smoke billowing into the sky. She also saw a woman inside the apartment.

"Her back bedroom was on fire and she was taking buckets of water and trying to pour it on the fire," Selph said. "She could barely walk. She would take baby steps when she walked."

Selph helped the woman out of her apartment and paramedics took the woman to VCU Medical where she was treated for smoke inhalation.

Selph did not know the woman, who did not even have time to grab clothes when she escaped.

"I sent my mom home to get her a pair of sweatpants," Selph said.

Officials said the fire stated when a lit candle tipped over and fell onto the woman's bed.