Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service in warning to public after sunglasses left in direct sunlight causes vehicle fire in Nuthall

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding the public not to leave glass objects in direct sunlight following a vehicle fire near Hucknall caused by refracted sunlight.

On Saturday (27 May), the Service received a call to van fire in Nuthall, which is just five miles from Hucknall, at 5.05pm.

A crew from Stockhill Fire Station, in Basford, attended the incident and used a hose reel to extinguish the fire.

A fire investigation determined that prescription sunglasses left in direct sunlight on the dashboard of the vehicle was the most likely cause of the fire.

Photos from the scene show the extent of the damage with most of the dashboard melted and a hole pierced through the windscreen.

Station Manager Chris Navin said: "We ask people to be careful about not placing glass objects in direct sunlight as the consequences can be devastating.

"We have previously seen fires where sunlight has refracted off objects like magnifying mirrors, containers of water and fish tanks.

"These objects should be kept out of direct sunlight, and please also make sure that you have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home."

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