A WARNING about the fire risk posed by glass objects and mirrors has been issued by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Firefighters were recently called to an incident in the county when a wooden cabinet was badly scorched due to light being refocused in a glass paperweight.

A carpet in a shop window display also caught fire due to the sun being refracted through a round glass ornament on April 12.

The service has seen a number of serious fires started in the same way, including severe damage to a manor house in Luckington in September 2012 and a bedroom being destroyed at a house in Charlton, near Malmesbury, in March 2013.

Home safety manager Neil Chamberlain said: “Where you have a mirror or any other glass object - such as an ornament - that is curved, this allows the glass to act as a lens.

“When the sunlight hits it, it becomes concentrated and, if the rays are bounced onto something flammable - such as curtains or soft furnishings - then a fire can start. The principle is the same as using a magnifying glass to start a fire.

“It does depend on the angle of the sun, but any mirror or glass ornament with a curve in it should never be left on a windowsill or by a window. The angle of the sun changes as the day progresses, so extra care is needed.”

He added: “At this time of year, the sun can be very intense but also low enough for the angle of light to be an issue. We would therefore urge people to move curved glass objects away from windows, and make sure that working smoke alarms are fitted in the property – just in case.”

For fire safety advice at home visit wiltsfire.gov.uk/safetyinthehome or for a home safety check call 0800 389 7849 or visit www.wiltsfire.gov.uk