Candles left burning are being blamed for a St. Catharines fire that's left the resident of a duplex homeless.

The fire started inside the Chestnut St unit Friday morning.The woman who lived in the apartment managed to get out OK.

Firefighters showed up to find the entire 2nd floor in flames.

There was a smoke detector installed in the apartment, but the woman who lived there says she never heard it go off.

Damage is pegged at $60 000-$70 000.