Urgent warning issued to anybody with mirrors close to home windows | UK | News | EUROtoday

A hearth service has issued a warning to UK households after 40 firefighters had been referred to as to battle a fireplace brought on by reflecting daylight.

On Tuesday afternoon, 40 firefighters had been referred to as to a blaze in Lakenheath in Southgate, north London. Two backyard outbuildings had been destroyed by the hearth and half of the again of a neighbouring home was additionally broken, London Fire Brigade stated.

The fireplace service stated the hearth was seemingly brought on by daylight ‘reflecting off curved glass’ onto ‘combustible items’.

Now, London Fire Brigade is warning anybody to verify they don’t have any reflective gadgets close to home windows, which might trigger a magnifying glass impact and result in sudden fires – even when the climate is not that heat.

They warned anybody to make sure mirrors, crystals and glass ornaments are avoided home windows and direct daylight ‘at all times’.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson stated: “Fires caused by refracted sunlight can happen all year round and can be common.

“Our advice is to make sure that you keep mirrors, crystals, glass ornaments and other reflective items out of direct sunlight at all times.”

In 2022, Merseyside Fire Service issued an analogous warning when it was referred to as out to a fireplace which prompted enormous injury to 2 homes considered brought on by daylight reflecting off mirrors.

Prevention Group Manager Mark Thomas stated: “Fires caused in this way are becoming more and more apparent. Thankfully no one has been seriously injured as a result of these fires, but the damage caused will have a lasting impact on those involved.

“Both of these fires were started by the reflected light from the sun, which directed rays from magnifying mirrors onto combustible items. Low sun at this time of year and direct sunlight on mirrors can cause serious problems. Even during cold spells, the sun’s rays can be very strong particularly if they are magnified by glass ornaments and mirrors.

“Take a look around your home – if you have magnifying mirrors or other items such as glass ornaments or paperweights, please make sure they are kept out of direct sunlight or where the sun can reflect from them onto other items. Never leave shaving or vanity mirrors on windowsills – this is a recipe for disaster. It’s also really important to keep aerosols or any other flammable items out of direct sunlight too.”

• London Fire Brigade’s prime three daylight security suggestions are:

• Keep reflective gadgets akin to mirrors, crystals or glass objects away from sunny window sills and flammable supplies.”

• Make positive there are working smoke alarms fitted in each room the place a fireplace can begin besides kitchens or bogs the place warmth alarms are extra applicable

• If you’ve got a fireplace, shut the door on the blaze, get out, keep out and name 999