Alton house fire sparked by mirror reflecting sunlight onto clothes

A mirror reflecting rays from the sun sparked a fire at a home in Alton this morning.

At around half nine, crews from Alton, Rushmoor and Surrey FRS were alerted to the property on Froyle Road, finding smoke issuing from a first-floor bedroom when they arrived.

Wearing breathing apparatus sets, firefighters used hose reels and jets to extinguish the blaze, before clearing smoke from the property with ventilation fans.

Two casualties were taken onto hospital by South Central Ambulance Service paramedics, where they were treated from smoke inhalation.

The gas and electric supply was isolated and the road was closed during the incident.

Firefighters left the scene at around midday.

The mirror was on the bedroom’s window sill and is believed to have refracted the sunlight onto nearby clothes. 

This acts as an important reminder to ensure that any glass ornaments and mirrors aren’t left near windows where they could catch and magnify the sun’s rays and burn soft furnishings in your home.