London Fire Brigade have issued a warning after a flat caught fire in Penge High Street.
The fire, believed to be accidental and caused by sunlight reflected on a mirror, badly damaged a third floor flat yesterday afternoon.
Two men and a woman from a neighbouring flat in Regina House were led to safety by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.
A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: “These sort of incidents are not as rare as you would think. In the last five years we've seen over 100 fires caused by the sun's rays.”
"Our advice is to make sure that you keep mirrors, crystals, glass ornaments and other reflective items out of direct sunlight at all times.”
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The alarm was raised by a passer by who saw smoke coming from the property.
Tina Sengul, who works at Penge Catering Equipment and Supplies across the road from the building, said at the time: "There was black smoke, there's no more smoke coming out of the building, everything is just so black and there is people outside and ambulance crews going inside."
Four fire engines and 21 firefighters and officers attended the scene.
The Brigade was called at 3.51pm and the fire was under control by 4.47pm.
Fire crews from West Norwood, Bromley and Woodside fire stations attended the scene.
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