Public Safety Ministry is warning about the risk of holiday-related fires from festive lights

The Public Safety Ministry is warning about the risk of holiday-related fires from festive lights and other items that may be kept close to heat sources.

It says the Office of the Fire Commissioner reports 113 Christmas-related fires in BC in the last decade.

These fires have caused multiple injuries, four deaths and 14.5 million dollars in damage.

Jennifer Rice, the parliamentary secretary for Emergency Preparedness, says most of the fires over the holiday season are caused by decorative lights being left on, used improperly or being faulty.

She says the fire commissioner also had reports of wreaths and boughs catching fire from candles, and one person who burned their tree indoors caused a chimney fire.