Crystal ball sets fire to house

A woman returned home to a house full of smoke after a crystal ball set fire to her lounge.

Firefighters said the crystal ball on the window sill had refracted sunlight on to the curtains, starting the blaze.

Watch manager Dave Cooper, of Dorset Fire and Rescue Service, said: "The conditions were just right with a low, strong October sun." He added: "It was a most unusual incident. The glass ball had literally refracted the light and set fire to the curtains."



The ball was a present to Margaret Padwick from her husband 40 years ago, but Margaret, a grandmother-of-nine, has never believed it held mystical properties.

She said: "I have never used it to read fortunes. It used to reflect the light all around the house. It was quite beautiful."

"After what has happened I just wanted to get rid of the blooming thing. I told the fire brigade to take it away."