Six in hospital after reflected sunlight started burning family home

Six people, including three children, are in hospital after a fire caused by “reflected sunlight” tore through a house in Ealing.

The first floor of a two-storey house on Elderberry Road was completely destroyed by the fire, which also affected the ground floor.

Three adults and three children suffering from smoke inhalation left the property before firefighters arrived.

They were treated at the scene by the London Ambulance Service before being taken to hospital.

The fire is believed to have been an accident caused by sunlight reflecting off a glass object, the London Fire Brigade said.

Around 25 firefighters from Chiswick, Heston, Park Royal and Hammersmith fire stations were called to the scene at 7.01pm on Tuesday and the fire was under control by 8.25pm.

The fire is believed to be accidental and caused by sunlight reflecting off a glass object in the room.

A spokesman for London Fire Brigade said: “Fires like this are not as rare as you might think.

“They can happen all year round, but as we head into summer and the sun gets stronger, it’s really important to keep reflective items like mirrors, crystals and glass ornaments out of direct sunlight.”