Fire breaks out after sunshine sets curtains alight

Three generations of the same family escaped a house fire that broke out when sunlight bounced off of a make-up mirror and set a pair of curtains alight.

The family escaped unhurt after their South Norwood home was hit by what firefighters are describing as a "sunlight blaze" just after 6.45pm yesterday evening.

It took firefighters around an hour to extinguish the blaze, which damaged the whole of the first floor and part of the loft space.

The man and two women were alerted to the fire when their smoke alarm sounded, and managed to escape from the house in Holmewood Road.

They were all checked over by London Ambulance Service crews as a precaution.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "Crystal and glass ornaments and items such as mirror tables should be kept out of direct sunlight.

"This shows these fires are not an urban myth. Also make sure that you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home."