A FIVE-year-old girl suffered “significant” burns and had to be rushed to hospital when her hair set on fire yesterday evening (Monday, March 19).

A number of firefighters from Oldbury station attended the incident at a house in West Avenue, Tividale, at about 6.45pm.

Crews in a fire engine and brigade response vehicle found the girl’s hair had ignited after being caught by flames from a nearby candle.

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: “She unfortunately suffered significant burns to her head, neck and hands.

“Our firefighters assisted the ambulance service in giving trauma care to the girl before she was taken to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service added: “An ambulance and a paramedic officer attended and treated a young girl who had suffered serious burns.

“The girl was given pain relief by ambulance staff to help ease her discomfort before her wounds were covered with cooling gel dressings.

“Ambulance staff conveyed the girl to hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

Issuing a fire safety warning following the incident, Oldbury Fire Station tweeted: “We've been to a very sad incident involving a child this evening.

“Please may we remind everyone to be so very careful when using #candles in the home #CandleSafety.”