An elderly woman had to be rescued on Sunday evening as fire swept through her home in Wiseman's Bridge.
Fire crews from Tenby, Narberth and Haverfordwest, under the command of Station Officer Sam Scadden, were called to Mrs. Gwen Jones's bungalow at Windy Ridge, Cliff Road, just before 7.30 pm, to find the timber-framed building well alight.
The firefighters used three jets and six sets of breathing apparatus to fight the fire, but the building was completely gutted by the flames, which also damaged overhead power cables.
The fire is believed to have started when Mrs. Jones, who is in her 80s, accidentally knocked over a candle which she was using to light her home as her power had been cut off by the day's earlier severe weather conditions.
Mrs. Jones discovered that she had knocked the candle onto her armchair after coming back from letting her dog out.
She had tried to tackle the blaze using wet towels, but neighbours, including Mr. Byron Phillips, son-in-law of Mrs. Kemble, of the Wiseman's Bridge Inn, and his mother, were alerted and led her to safety.
She was taken to Withybush Hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation.
She was released the following day after treatment and is presently staying with Mrs. Kemble while Pembrokeshire County Council social services arrange alternative accommodation..
The Fire Brigade's community fire safety officer, John Llewellyn, later said that the incident highlighted the potential dangers of using candles in the home.
"We advise people to exercise caution when using naked flames in the home, particularly with the winter coming up," he said. "Fire safety advice for the home is available by contacting me on (01437) 762131."