A Winchester man awoke just in time to escape when fire broke out in a flat in Jewry Street on Monday evening.
The property, above the Alcatraz Rosso restaurant, caught fire at 8.10pm. Firefighters said the flat was not fitted with smoke alarms.
Sub-officer Dave Graham at Winchester Fire Station said: "It was only by luck that the occupant awoke. He got out by the skin of his teeth."
The man, who is 28, was already outside when firefighters arrived.
It took crews nearly an hour to deal with the incident, which caused severe smoke damage. The restaurant was not affected.
Two engines and a special equipment unit, all from Winchester, attended.
Sub-officer Graham said the fire was started by a candle, which was left on top of a television set, burning down to its base.
"We'd like to remind people that televisions and other pieces of electric equipment are dangerous places to leave candles burning."
Smoke detectors have now been installed in the building.
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