Investigators warn of mirror dangers after fire guts home

HOUSEHOLDERS have been warned to keep glass objects away from windows this summer after reflected sunlight from a make-up mirror caused a £1.5 million home to burn down.

Fire investigators issued the warning after discovering that a fire that destroyed a five-bedroom detached property in Brentwood, Essex, on Monday was probably caused by a mirror focusing sunlight on to wallpaper, causing it to burst into flames.

It caused the roof to cave in within minutes, leaving the red-brick and timber home completely uninhabitable due to smoke and water damage.

Anne Bender, who owns the property, said: “I have never seen anything go up so fast, I was here on my own.”

She added that her family home was now a “wreck”.

Fire investigators have said that they believe sunlight caused the fire after shining through a front-facing window on to a make-up mirror.

Lee Palfreyman, a fire investigation officer, said: “We believe that the fire started after the sunlight refracted through a window, on to a mirror and back on to curtains or wallpaper.

“The fire quickly spread after flames came out of the window and back into the roof.

“This is the second incident of this nature we’ve seen this year and they show how powerful the sun can be.

“To avoid this kind of incident, keep mirrors and crystal or glass objects away from windows and direct sunlight.”

Dan Evison, Essex Fire and Rescue watch manager, said: “Thankfully, the homeowner heard their smoke alarm and quickly left the property and called 999.”