BEVERLY HILLS (February 23, 2009)-- A lit candle ignited an early morning house fire Monday in the Waco suburb of Beverly Hills that displaced three Central Texas families sent a 20-year-old man to the hospital, Beverly Hills Fire Chief Debra Shortway said late Monday afternoon.

Justen Matthews was the only person in the house at 608 Tulane St. when the fire broke out just before 3 a.m. Monday.

His mother, father, two siblings and two pets were staying elsewhere as they prepared to move out.

Matthews said all of the family’s possessions had been boxed up and were ready to be moved.

The fire destroyed everything the family owned.

The Beverly Hills Fire Department responded Monday after a Waco police officer spotted flames coming from the house.

Matthews, who was asleep in the house when the fire broke out suffered hand injuries when he punched out a window in order to escape the flames.

He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The fire destroyed the house and damaged two neighboring homes, Shortway said.

One of the houses received smoke and fire damage to its attic while the other received exterior damage to its siding.

The Heart of Texas Area Chapter of the American Red Cross was working to provide shelter to Matthews’ family as well as assistance cards for food and clothing.

The Red Cross also arranged for the residents of two neighboring homes to stay in local hotels.