FIREFIGHTERS were called to a maisonette in Brook Drive, Wickford at 7.58am on Wednesday, 12 April and found a second-floor bedroom completely alight.

They fully extinguished the fire by 8.44am.

Watch Manager Mark Blakebrough said: "The fire was caused by a make-up mirror that was facing the sun and almost certainly reflected onto the curtains, which ignited.

"Although this type of incident is rare, please make sure your mirrors and other reflective objects are out of direct sunlight.  

"Thankfully, the property had working smoke alarms which alerted the family and they did exactly the right thing; they got out, stayed out and called 999.

"Crews did a brilliant job of containing the fire to the bedroom. However, there was extensive smoke damage to the maisonette which has left the family-of-five temporarily homeless.

"I'd like to thank the Red Cross who were on the scene quickly to provide support to the family."