A couple from Rochester, Kent in the UK is urging people to be cautious about placing reflective objects near windows after a small makeup mirror caused a fire in their home. Sam Wilkinson, a 48-year-old registered nurse, and her partner Michael were at home on July 18 when they noticed a strange smell.
Michael, who was working in the office directly beneath the room that caught fire, initially thought the smell was similar to burnt toast. After checking his fan for overheating and investigating the kitchen for any cooking mishaps, he heard the smoke alarm on the top floor. In a state of panic, he woke Sam and they quickly evacuated the house and called emergency services.
Two fire trucks arrived at the scene and managed to extinguish the fire on the third floor. The firefighters also successfully rescued the couple’s cat, Tigger. Despite the destruction of many items in the bedroom, including a melted TV and charred walls, the fire was largely confined to one room thanks to a closed door, preventing it from spreading throughout the house.
The cause of the fire was revealed to be sunlight reflecting off a small makeup mirror and igniting the couple’s curtains. Sam Wilkinson expressed her disbelief at the cause, stating, “When the firefighters told us it was the mirror, we thought how can a mirror do that?” She added that they now understand that any reflective or shiny object near a window where the sun hits it could potentially start a fire.
The couple had recently redecorated the room and were unsure of what could have caused the fire. They are now sharing their experience to raise awareness about the potential dangers of placing reflective objects near windows. Sam advises others to be careful and educate those in their households about these risks. She emphasizes that this is a small, preventable issue that can have devastating consequences.