This is how one household item could cause a major fire in minutes.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning after its crews prevented a house blaze this morning (Friday).
Firefighters were called to a property in Ropley, near Winchester, following a call reporting the smell of burning.
They discovered that a mirror had been refracting sunlight onto a nearby fabric – which has then started smouldering.
Thankfully, a devastating fire was narrowly avoided as firefighters removed the item and stopped flames developing.
A spokesperson for the fire service said it served as a “important reminder ahead of another sunny weekend”.
They added: “The mirror was angled in a way which magnified the sun’s rays onto the fabric.
“Fortunately, it didn’t develop into a fire due to the quick intervention, but it is an important reminder that you ensure any glass ornaments and mirrors aren’t left near windows where they could catch and magnify the sun’s rays and burn soft furnishings in your home.”
