TWO young girls were trapped in their burning house after a tealight caused a devastating blaze.
Neighbours tried to help as the girls, aged five and 15, screamed from an upstairs window.
Flames tore through the house in Osborne Grove, Sherwood, on Thursday evening.
Investigators say the fire started when a tealight melted into their TV, starting a blaze so hot it caused windows to explode.
The girls were alone in the house when the fire broke out at 10.15pm.
Neighbours said the pair were lucky to get out alive and praised firefighters for their quick action.
Benedict Cooper saw the drama unfold.
The 30-year-old said: "I heard the commotion and saw the flames coming out of the window – the room was glowing orange and it was quite shocking really. People were yelling at the girls in the window, trying to reassure them and telling them to keep their heads down to avoid breathing in too much smoke."
Ali Asghar, 65, lives across from the house. He said: "The firefighters are heroes – you couldn't praise them enough.
"The girls were in big danger – they were crying out for help and they arrived quickly and got them out the house."
And William Phung, 22, said: "People from all across the street came out to see what was going on and help any way they could."
A neighbour, who called the fire brigade but did not wish to be named, said: "I heard the girl shouting – that was the first thing I noticed. I could just see the older girl hanging out the window and I saw the house was on fire.
"I could see the orange glow (of the fire) while we were out on the street. The windows exploded pretty quickly.
"If it had been later at night and they had been asleep then it could have been smoke inhalation and I don't know if we would have heard."
In the morning, the devastation caused by the blaze was clear.
Members of the family were back at the house yesterday picking through their belongings but were too distressed to speak to the Post.
The missing windows have now been boarded up.
The fire service spent 45 minutes at the scene on Thursday evening and have issued a warning about candles and tealights in the home.
Liz Reeson, of Notts Fire and Rescue Service, said: "People don't realise the danger of naked flames and their potential for accidents such as this."
She advised people to ensure tealights were kept in holders and kept away from items that could catch light.
