Sun on mirror causes fire in bathroom

Firefighters have issued a warning after the sun's reflection in a mirror caused a dressing gown to catch alight. 

Two crews from Basildon were called to Short Lane, South Hanningfield, this morning after a resident returned home from a walk and smelled smoke. 

On further investigation he realised his dressing gown has started to catch fire because the sun had reflected off a mirror directly onto the clothing. 

Watch Manager Darryl Worster, Basildon Fire Station, said:

"Although these kinds of incidents are rare, they do happen, and you can never be too careful. 

"In this case, the mirror was at the perfect angle for the sun to shine through the window and reflect straight onto the dressing gown.

"When you're fitting mirrors or leaving them around the house just double check they aren't in front of a window."

The damage was contained to the dressing gown.