Even the most innocent-looking things can cause accidental fires. Think of the makeup mirror on your windowsill, or a chip bowl-turned parabolic mirror, or a snowball decoration.
And sometimes, it’s not even the mirrors. A 38-story skyscraper on London’s Fenchurch Street has been melting cars and setting buildings on fire due to its curvilinear shape which focuses the sun's rays onto a small area.
But most importantly, most accidental fires can be anticipated and prevented before it’s too late. So Bored Panda has compiled a list of dangerous examples of how little it takes for a fire to escalate into engulfing flames in hopes you’ll look around your house and make sure there’s no hidden source of accidental fire.
This post may include affiliate links.
Crystal Ball Can Burn Your House
The Glass Globe Of This Light Focused The Sunlight Enough To Burn The Suns Path In The Grass
It’s incredible how often accidental fires happen in our homes. According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are more than 350,000 home fires each year in the US, leading to more than 2,500 deaths. The same report concluded that most home fires and fire casualties result from these five sources: cooking, heating, electrical distribution and lighting equipment, intentional fire setting, and smoking materials.
Home fires can either be caused by heat igniting combustible materials, or chemical reactions. And even though you probably aren’t aware of it, your house is full of items, materials, and surfaces that can cause fire given the right conditions. In order to prevent fire accidents, you’ll have to look around your home.
This London Skyscraper Can Melt Cars And Set Buildings On Fire
Skyscraper is known locally as "the Walkie-Talkie" for its unusual shape. But that curvilinear shape is exactly what's causing the problem: The south-facing exterior wall is covered in reflective glass, and because it's concave, it focuses the sun's rays onto a small area, not unlike the way a magnifying glass directs sunbeams onto a superhot pinpoint of light.
Oh my God this building is so ugly. Horrendous. It doesn't even fit in the rest of the city. Like a not-to-scale toy which would have been put in the middle of a careful replica of a city.
Yes, I think it was crowned ugliest building in London :D
Load More Replies...
It's fixed, as you can see in the top picture. They put metal blinds on the outside, to keep the sunlight from hitting all the glass and focussing.
It's called the Walkie Talkie (not officially, obviously) and also causes a massive downdraft that means the very same street with melted cars and 130 degree heat in summer gets almost gale force winds in winter.
There's a video where a journalist cooks fried eggs in a pan with the heat created by this building
Load More Replies...
As an English person, I am fully behind the atrocious design of this building.
Even better the architect designed a similar building a few years earlier, I think somewhere in Brazil,that did the exact same thing and he didn't learn 😂
I know quite a few archies and they are some of the most narcissistic people I've ever met so that does not surprise me.
Load More Replies...
What's the point of writing "not unlike the way a magnifying glass" instead of "like the way a magnifying glass" in description? Maybe.. its correct grammatically but feels bit awkward reading it.
Jeez. that sucks. why do people waste so much money on supplies to build these huge harmful buildings that no one really needs when people out there are living in cardboard boxes.
it looks like the building is in one of those carnival mirrors that make you look fat.
how is that legal? if they know this is a hazard shouldn't they do something about it?
The walkie talkie is the most horrid building in the City of London and yes it's true it's caused many problems the designers didn't realise.
I've actually been here! The top floor is "Sky Garden," which is exactly what it sounds like. Tiered greenery from front to back, save for the observation balcony and a cafe along the whole front of the building. I didn't realize it was a diabolical sun ray LOL
It looks like the Teaching Hospital from Simcity Societies.
Load More Replies...
A related story: during my freshman orientation at UCLA, they told us a BO story about how one building was picked and moved by a fleet or helicopters because the building's window would focus the sun ray's on the cars on the freeway at a certain time of day...and I 100% believed it. Good to know it wasn't completely BS, at least in a general sense.
Apparently it's fixed by now. I seem to recall the architect was very fond of the shape - the walkie-scorchie wasn't his first try. There was a building in Las Vegas he designed with the same inbuilt flaw. The story about that one included a nearby pool visitor's flip flops being welded to the floor.
I- the way that it's dangerous and not even aesthetically attractive-
That's it. Into British hell you go. *20 Fenchurch Street is tossed into a flaming pit of Pacer trains and photos of Margret Thatcher's face while Johnny Cash plays*
This building is awful. They did manage to fix it with some kinda special panelling so it doesn't melt the street below, but shame they can't fix how ugly it is.
Ok first of all whoever designed this building please go back to the designer college sir and try again
The Sun Shining Through A Crystal Ball And Burned A Hole Through My Copy Of Goblet Of Fire
The Goblet of Fire, was set on fire... Welp, apparently the universe has a sense of humor and/or irony.
First step is the kitchen. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are among the most common types of house fires, making up about 49 percent of all residential fires.
These are often caused by overheated grease left on a stove or in an oven. What makes it particularly dangerous is its high flammability when it reaches about 600 degrees Fahrenheit. At that point, it can combust instantaneously.
For this reason, make sure to never leave your kitchen unattended when cooking in oil, whether it's a stove, an oven, or if you’re deep frying. Barbecue grills and toasters can also cause fire hazards.
After Washing The Car, Rims Created A Magnifying Effect On The Grass Which Started A Lawn Fire
Sunlight On Make-Up Mirror Causes Freak Nottinghamshire House Fire
The Chip Bowl Acted As A Parabolic Mirror And Set A Chip On Fire
This Football Shaped Bottle By A Mineral Water Company Ahead Of Football Worldcup Russia 2018 That Turns Into Spherical Magnifying Glass And Gets On Fire When In Sun For More Than A Minute
My Sister Was Putting On Her Make Up In Front Of A Window And The Mirror She Was Using Burnt A Hole In Her Screen
Second, you may wanna check your living room or the bedroom where heating appliances are placed. This is especially important during winter time when many of us use home space heaters and baseboard heaters to warm up our freezing homes.
But heaters that require kerosene or another fuel are especially dangerous as they can ignite spontaneously or even blow up. Electrical heaters also often become the sources for accidental fire, especially if the electrical wiring is faulty. They also often overheat fabrics if they come in contact or if they’re put close enough.
Make sure to never leave the house with a heater on, whatever type of appliance it is. Unsupervised heaters become huge fire hazards if left running while homeowners are away.
House Fire Started By Sun Reflecting Off Bedroom Mirror
Boy Accidentally Sets Lawn On Fire With Magnifying Glass He Got As Christmas Present
Christmas Day was memorable to say the least! My twelve year old son Cayden, who is an avid reader, an honor student, and interested in science, asked for a magnifying glass for Christmas. (It’s like a basketball player asking for basketball shoes.) We thought it was for reading, but instead he tried to see if he could light a fire with it! We discovered that he and his two brothers went out on the driveway to see if they could burn a couple holes in some newspaper. Everything was under control until the boys came running into the house telling us that a corner of the lawn was on fire and the Christmas lights were melting! Justin and I rushed outside to see the entire front lawn turning black! We grabbed buckets, turned on the hose and sprinklers, and I grabbed blankets to smother and trap it - before it could spread any more into the neighbors yard! What a sight to see - a bunch of people running around crazy trying to put a front lawn fire out while wearing matching Christmas jammies!
I want to reiterate this was an accident. It could have been worse but it wasn’t. So instead of a tragedy it will now be a Christmas to remember! 2019- The Christmas the lawn lit on fire.
Oh and never buy a magnifying glass for your son!
Why do Americans always feel the need to tell people their kid is an honor student? I've seen bumper stickers with it on. It makes me sad
My Crystal Ball Paper Weight Burnt A Hole In My Homework
Martha Stewart Posts Terrifying Photos After Her Makeup Mirror Almost "Ignited" Her Bathroom
BEWARE!!!!! While I was in Tasmania my master bathroom had a serious problem A magnifying makeup mirror , sitting on the back of the toilet , happened to catch the rays if the afternoon sun , reflecting them directly onto the painted window sill . The light was so intense that the paint scorched and smoked And almost ignited ! My housekeeper smelled the burning paint and stopped the problem Please take care not to let such a queer thing happen in your home!!!!!
My Mom Accidentally Left Her Mirror In Front Of The Window Over The Day. After Coming Back She Found This...
My Snowglobe Acted As A Magnifying Glass And Burnt A Line Into My Curtain
The Sun Came Through The Window Of My New Apartment And Hit A Mirror, Setting My Carpet On Fire
A Magnifying Mirror Burnt A Window Frame In A Rented Apartment. Suggestions?
Well, first of all come clean to the landlord. Second, offer to get it fixed (if he isn't willing, might depend on your renters agreement/contract).
Woman's Warning After Make-Up Mirror Almost Causes Bedroom Blaze
I'm surprised at how many people don't know/realize that mirrors and magnifying glasses focus sunlight. They're all very lucky they just burned stuff and didn't set the whole house on fire.
It's not that they don't know or understand it's that you really just don't think about it when you place items like that. I don't sit in my bedroom thinking "Hmmm I bet this mirror is goin to cause a fire when I least expect it. I better move it around the room to avoid it catching the sun!"
Load More Replies...
My husband burned a small hole in one our car seats by leaving a water bottle on it, luckily a friend noticed the smoke and we handled the situation before it became a fire.
I had a beautiful crystal hanging on the patio windows which would give off beautiful rainbow prisms & I loved it - until it set my patio curtains on fire and spread causing thick smoke damage throughout the house! Scary time xxx
My parents bar has a collection of large 4.5L alcohol bottles. My mum came home one day and smelt smoke only to find the sun was hitting the Gin bottle and smoldering on the wall behind. It burnt a decent size hole in the wall. She was lucky to get home and sort it out before the house burnt down and have to explain it to the insurance company HAHAHAHAHA
there's only one sentence for this post: the sun is a deadly lazer
Dont leave full clear drink bottles in the car in the sun. Dont leave any curved water, glass, or reflective objects uncovered where they might catch the sun
Like reading outside? Use reading glasses? Never leave your glasses on top of paper or any other combustible out in the sun. Or anywhere the sun may hit during the day.
A few kilometers from my parent's place a family had just finished building their house and moving in. Apparently they had lunch outside and had left a glass on their deck. That glass burnt their brand new home to the ground. It was pretty awful.
*Cue everyone suddenly looking around in their rooms to see if there are any mirrors and/or oddly shaped glass objects placed in unfortunate spots*
This makes me think of Toy Story 1 when Woody uses Buzz's helmet to light the rocket.
Makes me feel glad I'm a vampire and always have my drapes shut, lol.
Well s**t, I'm off to find something to cover my crystal ball with now. Luckily its not caused anything before but I'm not risking my house burning down. :o
Okay, i know how the "focus" here is mostly about sunlight interaction, but here's a warning. Be careful where you set those microwaveable hot wraps and warming pads. A former S.O.'s child was given one, she didn't like the smell so burried it under clothes on the floor. In short, the Hardwood floor scorched and started a fire which spread to the clothes. A whole closet full of clothes had to be thrown away and the room treated for smoke damage which permeated the room. Could have tragic...
And a magnifying glass, and car rims, and a light fixture, and crystal ball, and door knobs, and metal bowl.
Load More Replies...
Several examples of why it is sooooo important to have fire retardants in fabrics, carpets, paint!
Did these people not have science class in high school, or are they just stupid?
I'd probably cover mirrors with a cloth if I thought they had a chance of starting a fire.
I once had to alert one of my customers that the magnifying mirrors in his showroom were about to ignite other merchandise samples on fire - came close!
I have a collection of paper weights in my south-facing bedroom. Yet never had any fires. 🤔
Oh god time to throw away all mirrors and anything glass or reflective. Geez this list scared me o.o
On the subject of unexpected fires: RFID tags in books can also ignite. Had a guy bring back a book to our library last summer where the RFID tag had burnt to crisp and had burnt a hole into some pages. He had left the book in the trunk of his car on a hot day.
My daughter loves crystals and mirrored things. You can bet I'm sending her this thread!
They do. It's just not something you constantly think about. Especially not in the safety and comfort of your home.
Load More Replies...
I'm surprised at how many people don't know/realize that mirrors and magnifying glasses focus sunlight. They're all very lucky they just burned stuff and didn't set the whole house on fire.
It's not that they don't know or understand it's that you really just don't think about it when you place items like that. I don't sit in my bedroom thinking "Hmmm I bet this mirror is goin to cause a fire when I least expect it. I better move it around the room to avoid it catching the sun!"
Load More Replies... My husband burned a small hole in one our car seats by leaving a water bottle on it, luckily a friend noticed the smoke and we handled the situation before it became a fire.
I had a beautiful crystal hanging on the patio windows which would give off beautiful rainbow prisms & I loved it - until it set my patio curtains on fire and spread causing thick smoke damage throughout the house! Scary time xxx
My parents bar has a collection of large 4.5L alcohol bottles. My mum came home one day and smelt smoke only to find the sun was hitting the Gin bottle and smoldering on the wall behind. It burnt a decent size hole in the wall. She was lucky to get home and sort it out before the house burnt down and have to explain it to the insurance company HAHAHAHAHA
there's only one sentence for this post: the sun is a deadly lazer
Dont leave full clear drink bottles in the car in the sun. Dont leave any curved water, glass, or reflective objects uncovered where they might catch the sun
Like reading outside? Use reading glasses? Never leave your glasses on top of paper or any other combustible out in the sun. Or anywhere the sun may hit during the day.
A few kilometers from my parent's place a family had just finished building their house and moving in. Apparently they had lunch outside and had left a glass on their deck. That glass burnt their brand new home to the ground. It was pretty awful.
*Cue everyone suddenly looking around in their rooms to see if there are any mirrors and/or oddly shaped glass objects placed in unfortunate spots*
This makes me think of Toy Story 1 when Woody uses Buzz's helmet to light the rocket.
Makes me feel glad I'm a vampire and always have my drapes shut, lol.
Well s**t, I'm off to find something to cover my crystal ball with now. Luckily its not caused anything before but I'm not risking my house burning down. :o
Okay, i know how the "focus" here is mostly about sunlight interaction, but here's a warning. Be careful where you set those microwaveable hot wraps and warming pads. A former S.O.'s child was given one, she didn't like the smell so burried it under clothes on the floor. In short, the Hardwood floor scorched and started a fire which spread to the clothes. A whole closet full of clothes had to be thrown away and the room treated for smoke damage which permeated the room. Could have tragic...
And a magnifying glass, and car rims, and a light fixture, and crystal ball, and door knobs, and metal bowl.
Load More Replies... Several examples of why it is sooooo important to have fire retardants in fabrics, carpets, paint!
Did these people not have science class in high school, or are they just stupid?
I'd probably cover mirrors with a cloth if I thought they had a chance of starting a fire.
I once had to alert one of my customers that the magnifying mirrors in his showroom were about to ignite other merchandise samples on fire - came close!
I have a collection of paper weights in my south-facing bedroom. Yet never had any fires. 🤔
Oh god time to throw away all mirrors and anything glass or reflective. Geez this list scared me o.o
On the subject of unexpected fires: RFID tags in books can also ignite. Had a guy bring back a book to our library last summer where the RFID tag had burnt to crisp and had burnt a hole into some pages. He had left the book in the trunk of his car on a hot day.
My daughter loves crystals and mirrored things. You can bet I'm sending her this thread!
They do. It's just not something you constantly think about. Especially not in the safety and comfort of your home.
Load More Replies...