Customer Tip - Glass Jars Next To Windows Start Fires

Aftermath: The bedroom was ravaged by the blaze which killed beloved family pet Chili (Picture: London Fire Brigade). The low winter sunlight coming through the window is believed to have been focused by the glass jar and strengthened, sparking a blaze which devastated the family home and completely destroyed the roof of the house. Four fire engines and 21 firefighters attended the blaze.

Sun rays shining on Nutella jar spark fire destroying family home and killing dog: A dog was killed and a family home wrecked after a huge fire was started by sun rays shining through a Nutella jar. Beloved family pet Chili, a nine-year-old Jack Russell, died from smoke inhalation while trapped inside the house in Twickenham, south west London, as the fire raged.

Firefighters believe it was caused by low winter sunlight being refracted through the glass chocolate spread container, which was being used to hold loom bands. Electrical supervisor Declan Murphy, 41, told Get West London: "We're all heartbroken at Chili's death and we've been told it will be up to a year before the house is ready for us to move back into. "I want to ensure other people are aware of the dangers and know to keep glass items away from windows and out of direct sunlight so they don't have to go through anything like this."

Mr Murphy had been out of the house at the time, celebrating the anniversary of his engagement with his wife and two children. The jar had been sitting on the windowsill of his daughter's bedroom. The fire on Sunday, February 15, destroyed the first-floor bedroom and also damaged the roof of the house. Charlie Pugsley, from the London Fire Brigade's fire investigation unit, said: "It sounds far fetched that a jar containing a few rubber bands caused a severe house fire but that’s exactly what happened. "It’s worth spending five minutes checking that your window ledges are clear of any glass or crystal that might lead to potentially life changing blaze."

That incident prompted a warning from the London Fire Brigade, which revealed it had been called to 125 fires caused by the sun's rays over the last five years.

Warning after Nutella jar sparks devastating blaze: The fire came just days before sunlight refracted off a mirror table at the Mayfair home of lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone, setting alight a bean bag, on Thursday (February 19). That incident prompted a warning from the London Fire Brigade, which revealed it had been called to 125 fires caused by the sun's rays over the last five years - including five this winter alone. Charlie Pugsley, from the brigade's fire investigation unit, said: "These sort of fires are not as rare as you would think. I've seen everything from sparkly door knobs to crystal balls starting fires. "Crystal and glass ornaments and items such as mirror tables should be kept out of direct sunlight. We wouldn’t advise that people put fires out themselves but it is good to see that Ms Mone is not injured. "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."

Also see: Clean Windows + Low Winter Sun + Glass Refocus = Fire

Clean Windows + Low Winter Sun + Glass Refocus = Fire

Clean windows with low sun on to another glass surface can refocus sunlight to cause fires in properties.

Beware the winter sun, warn firefighters: Firefighters are warning people to beware of the fiery dangers winter sunshine brings. Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service say around this time every year they attend fires caused by the sun’s rays focussing through or onto glass, and then setting fire to nearby objects.

The winter sun is low in the sky and shines directly through windows, so any mirrored or glass items close to the window may re-focus the sun’s rays onto combustible items, often curtains, heating them up to a point where they spontaneously ignite into flames.

Paul Bray, Community Safety Protection manager for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service said: “Many people do not realise the dangers of leaving glass objects too close to windows. Anything that can concentrate the sun’s ray should be moved away from the window to reduce the risk of fire breaking out, especially where the sun can shine directly into the room.

“I have personally attended two fires caused by make-up mirrors, positioned on dressers, in bedrooms. “One of these fires occurred in the early morning, with the sun shining through a south-easterly facing window, and the other occurred in the early evening, with the sun shining through a south westerly facing window. “Both days were bright and sunny, but not hot.

“If any of your rooms are penetrated by bright sunlight, especially at this time of year, carry out a check to make sure any glass objects cannot re-focus the sunlight to create a fire. “Now would also be a good time to discuss your fire procedures with the rest of your family, fit or check your smoke alarm is working, and put into practice a simple routine of shutting internal doors, not only as part of a bedtime routine - but also whenever you leave your home unattended, as even a light internal door will prevent or reduce smoke and heat damage to a rooms contents.”

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