Last updated: 03/10/2019, 12:16 PM

House fire - Warlingham

02/10/2019 17:13
Croydon
House or flat fire
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Firefighters have issued a safety reminder after sunlight is believed to have caused a fire at a house on Audley Drive in Warlingham.

Part of the first floor of a semi-detached house was damaged by the fire. There were no reports of any injuries.

The Brigade's fire investigation team believe the cause of the fire was sunlight refracting off a mirror which set light to a wooden table and plastic cover.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "These sort of incidents are not as rare as you would think and we’ve seen everything from sparkly door knobs to crystal balls starting fires.

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

The Brigade was called at 1713 and the fire was under control by 1756. Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from Purley, Addington and Croydon fire stations were at the scene.

The Brigade’s top three sunlight safety tips are: 

  • Keep mirrors and crystal or glass objects away from sunny sills and flammable materials
  • Fit at least one smoke alarm per floor and test them every week to make sure they work and the batteries are not flat
  • If you have a fire, close the door on the blaze, get out stay out and call the Brigade

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