Christmas lights fire caused by wet extension lead

The plastic around the extension lead melted from the heat coming from the flames, the fire service said

Christmas lights caught fire because an extension lead they were plugged into was left out in the rain, crews have said.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service said it attended the Northampton home on Thursday afternoon.

The blaze was extinguished "before any significant damage was caused", it said.

Crews found the extension leads, meant for inside, were "daisy chained and used outside, during a very wet day" and said advice was given to the homeowner.

The fire service appealed for people to check their extension leads and adaptors for damage, wear and tear.

Never join one adaptor to another (daisy chain), fully unwind cable reels and never overload them, it said.

"If in doubt, do not use them," a spokesman added.