The danger of candles left burning was destructively illustrated in Hastings yesterday when a double garage containing stored furniture and a trailer was gutted by fire.

Firefighters were called to the Kiwi St, Camberley, property about 4pm and found the garage well ablaze.

As one crew fought the fire, a second began playing water on to a garage in the neighbouring property. The garages were only a metre apart but firefighters managed to keep the blaze at bay.

A firefighter at the scene said one of the residents told him he suspected a candle had been left burning and that it may have been near plastic items.

The Hazmat tender was called in after it was learned an LPG cylinder was in the garage.

Firefighters directed water on to the cylinder and it was removed without incident.

Fire crews were at the scene for about an hour.