The FDNY responded to a report of a fire yesterday afternoon on the fourth floor of 413 E. 12th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue...
MAN ALL HANDS 413 E 12 ST, MULTIPLE DWELLING FIRE ON THE 4TH FLR,
— FDNYalerts (@FDNYAlerts) November 2, 2019
A firefighter told EVG regular Lola Sáenz, who shared these photos, that a mirror in the window had reflected the sunlight and sparked a fire (it has been known to happen) ... two other readers collaborated this version of the cause via the FDNY.
... and a side view via EVG reader Bruce...
Here's a look at the building this morning. Three of the front-facing windows on the fourth floor have been boarded up... no word on the extent of the damage here...
At a minimum the mirror in question had to be a covnvex mirror that focus the sunlight into a very narrow range. In addition, it had to have been focus for exactly this time of year on a highly flammable object where the focused temperature achieved by the mirror and the length of time (probably no more than an hour or even far less time.) and achieved Fahrenheit 451 degrees. That’s no ordinary mirror.
ReplyDeleteDiffuse the light coming inside your window. Investing in some curtains (diffusion and thicker) can stop fires from reflecting mirrors but also help keep your apartment and the building cooler.
ReplyDeleteBoy. That is terrifying. Why on earth would you leave a mirror aside the window? Hope everyone is okay.
ReplyDelete“I guess it’s time for me to move my giant magnifying glass and pile of dried leaves away from the window to a safer location” said no one ever.
ReplyDelete