Firefighters are urging Londoners to keep items such as glass, crystal furnishings and shaving mirrors out of direct sunlight after a glass doorknob sparked a fire at a house on Underhill Road in Dulwich.
A small part of a first-floor bedroom in a three-storey semi-detached house was damaged by fire. One woman left the property before the Brigade arrived. There were no reports of any injuries.
The cause of the fire is believed to be accidental and caused by sunrays focusing on a spherical glass doorknob that ignited hanging clothes.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “These sorts of fires are not as rare as you would think. They can happen all year around, but as we head into summer and the sun gets stronger, it’s really important that reflective items such as mirrors, crystals and glass ornaments are kept out of direct sunlight.”
The Brigade was called at 0950 and the fire was under control at 1049. Three fire engines and around 15 firefighters from New Cross, Peckham and West Norwood fire stations attended the scene.