Fire crews believe a fire that damaged a home in Barons Court this week was started by bright sunlight reflecting off a mirror.

Firefighters were called to Palliser Road on Tuesday (July 5) to deal the fire at a house converted into flats at around 3.25pm.

Two women managed to escape unharmed from the property before crews from Fulham, Chelsea, Kensington and North Kensington arrived at the scene.

Investigators now believe the probable cause of the blaze was sunlight reflecting on a makeup mirror, igniting the curtains and spreading to the sofa.

A spokesperson for the London Fire Brigade said: “ These sort of fires are not as rare as you would think and shows these types of fires are not an urban myth, as proved by a similar incident that sparked a fire in Orpington early this week.

"Crystals, glass ornaments and items such as dressing table mirrors should be kept out of direct sunlight.”

The property was not fitted with a smoke alarm, leading the spokesperson to add: “Everyone should have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home and the safest option is have those linked together.

"This will give the earliest warning if there is a fire in your home.”

Part of the a ground floor flat was badly damaged by the blaze, with smoke and heat damage to the remainder of the property.

More than 20 firefighters were at the scene and had the blaze under control by 4.10pm.