A house has been gutted by fire which was sparked by sunlight reflecting off a mirror.
The home was almost completely destroyed by the reflection, with fire crews saying the most likely likely cause was sunlight which had hit the mirror and set fire to either bedding or clothes.
It began at around 6.05pm on Saturday and six crews were called to the property after receiving reports of the blaze.
They started work on the property in Crediton, Devon, immediately using ladders, tools, thermal image cameras and breathing apparatus.
Devon Live reports how first floor flat and roof void was 80 per cent damaged by the fire and the ground floor flat was 50 per cent damaged by fire and water damage. The blaze is believed to be accidental.
A picture was shared on Facebook of one of the rooms completely devastated by the fire.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said: "This photograph shows the damage that can be caused when sunlight is refracted by a mirror and sets light to combustible material such as bedding or clothes.
"This happened in Crediton at the weekend. It's rare but the results can be devastating.
"Take care to ensure that mirrors and other glass objects are not left near windows or in direct sunlight at this time of year.
"And as always, make sure you have working smoke detectors in case the worst happens."
In a further update provided on the fire service website, a spokesperson wrote: "Fire engines were mobilised following a number of calls reporting a house fire in Crediton.
"Six fire engines attended in total along with an aerial ladder platform and the Incident Command Unit from Honiton.
"During the incident crews used: ten breathing apparatus, one x 135 ladder, one x 105 ladder, small tools and two thermal image cameras.
"The final details are that the first floor flat and roof void was 80 per cent damaged by the fire and the ground floor flat was 50% damaged by fire and water damage. The cause is believed to be accidental."
The Mirror told last month how cost of household bills caused a man to accidentally set fire to his own home after he was forced to resort to burning wood for heat due to spiralling energy costs.
The blaze broke out in New Malden, South London, on April 26 when the man opted for trying to keep himself warm with an open fire.
London Fire Brigade were called to the property at 8:30am after the fire spread throughout the property, My London reported.
Now, firemen have issued a warning amid worries the cost-of-living crisis may force more people to turn to alternative ways to heat their houses.
The house suffered “significant damage” and three people were treated by paramedics at the scene, with one man taken to hospital.
