WEST Yorkshire firefighters are warning about the dangers of magnifying mirrors being placed in direct winter sunlight.
It follows a fire in Kirklees when the concentration of the sun’s rays by a magnifying concave mirror set a box of Christmas decorations alight.
Fire Investigation Officer Lee Miller said: “These fires tend to happen in the autumn and winter months when the sun is low in the sky. The window in the room where this fire started was south facing.
“Rays can be particularly concentrated when they hit concave mirrors and crystal, so if they are directed towards ignitable materials such as curtains or cardboard, it can be disastrous.”
The fire, earlier this month in Linthwaite, Huddersfield, began while the family were away and burned itself out, but caused extensive damage to the bedroom.
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