Shocking pictures of devastated home show why you should clear your windows during heatwave
A glass object on a window sill caused the curtains to ignite, sparking a fierce blaze at the bungalow in Bognor Regis
THIS is the devastating carnage sparked by a glass ornament sitting in direct sunlight on a window sill.
Shocking pictures show how fire completely devastated the home in Bognor Regis, West Sussex after sunlight caught the ornament and set the curtains alight.
The fire ripped through the bungalow after searing sunshine magnified and set the material alight.
It was so fierce windows and glass ornaments exploded.
The homeowner told West Sussex fire crews: “It was the scariest situation that I have ever been in, the fire started and grew so quickly, within minutes the house was full of smoke with glass exploding and smoke everywhere.
“My whole house is fire and smoke damaged and at the present time, we are unable to live in the property.”
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service is now warning others to remove decorative items from window sills to prevent more blazes.
Firefighter Pete Sadler, who attended the inferno on Sunday evening, said: “These kinds of emergencies commonly occur in the winter months when the sun is low. However, this devastating fire shows that the risk remains all year round.
“It is vital that residents understand the dangers of having glass and mirrored objects in the view of windows.
“Although, even more importantly we are urging people to fit smoke alarms in their properties and test them on a weekly basis – it won’t prevent a fire but it will give you an early warning, allowing you to promptly escape.”
Earlier this month firefighters were called to a house fire in Knypersley, Stoke-on-Trent after sunlight reflected from a glass table in the back garden.
The semi-detached house was engulfed in flames with the residents forced to flee upstairs to escape the flames before they could be rescued.
The incident comes after a dramatic video was circulated on Facebook which shows just how quickly a fire can start when reflective objects are left exposed to sunlight.
Dramatic video, filmed by Rebecca Thompson shows a mirror on her windowsill creating a smouldering burn and billowing smoke in less than ten seconds after being left in direct sunlight.
Issuing a warning on Facebook, Miss Thompson, from Norwich, said: “This is just a reminder to you, your family and friends not to leave mirrors on your windowsill.
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