Firefighters have issued a safety warning after a mirror magnified sunlight and caused a blaze in Ashtead.

The resident escaped injury after the reflected winter sun set fire to the lounge at about 3.30pm on Friday, September 17.

Bryn Strudwick, fire investigation manager of Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, said the seasonal danger was caused by lower sunlight between September and May shining directly through windows.

It can reflect off household items such as glass paper weights, vases and even the concave base of an aerosol can, causing up to 10 fires in Surrey every year.

Mr Strudwick said: “This time of year the sun sitting low in the sky can be a silent danger that many people don’t consider a threat.

“However, every autumn and winter we’re called out to fires caused by sunlight magnified onto mirrors, glassware and even crystal balls.”