Reflection from mirror set fire to bedroom

SUNLIGHT reflecting off a vanity mirror is thought to have been the cause of a “highly unusual” fire which gutted a bedroom in Sheffield.

Firefighters were called to the house on Backmoor Road in Norton just before 1.20pm on Wednesday and found the first-floor bedroom on fire. The occupants were out at the time.

A fire investigator with the South Yorkshire brigade Dick Hutton said: “This is highly unusual – as it appears the sun shining through the bedroom window reflected back off a portable vanity mirror and onto curtains. This acted in the same way as a magnifying glass and eventually set fire to them.

“It was extremely difficult to replicate due to the intensity of the sun, its angle in the sky and cloud cover, and not something we come across regularly.

“That said, this proves that no matter what the weather, fire only needs a small chance to wreak devastation.”