FIREFIGHTERS are warning people about the dangers of mirrors and glass objects on windowsills following a house fire in Carlisle.
Crews from both of the city's stations were called to a property in Warwick Road this morning where a fire had started in the kitchen after a mirror in direct sunlight reflected onto curtains and upholstery.
John Murphy, crew manager of Carlisle East Fire Station, said: "There doesn't have to be any sun. If it is concentrated in an area it's like a magnifying glass. It gets to a point where it spontaneously combusts.
"It's about being vigilant what to put on windowsills."
The fire spread to clothing and the kitchen table but was out when the crews arrived at about 8.15am.
Mr Murphy said spontaneous combustion is not uncommon and over the years has been called out to a number of incidents, often in the morning when the sun is low.
Mirrors and glass objects, such as prisms, can caused a fire to start and should be moved away from direct sunlight.
"It's definitely worth warning people to be mindful of where they put things," said Mr Murphy.
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