Accidents caused by learner involved in escalating errors (6)

I believe the answer is:

spills

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'errors' is the definition.
(spill is a kind of error)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for spills that I've seen before include "Pieces of rolled paper used to light fires" , "Causes liquid to flow out" , "Pieces of rolled paper used to light a fire" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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