Commerce house fire blamed on candles

COMMERCE - A fire that destroyed a house in Commerce early Friday is being blamed on candles.

Units from Nicholson, Commerce, and Jackson County Correctional Institute fire departments responded to 402 A.C. Smith Road about 5:00.

"(The first units) found a single family residence, approximately 1,500 square feet, fully involved with fire," according to Jackson County EMS spokesman Steve Nichols. "The structure was a total loss and no injuries were reported."

Nichols added the occupant was at home at the time of the incident and reported he had candles burning and they started the fire.

Firefighters were on the scene about three hours.