Fire at Ex's Private Rental House

Mojisola

Smodlet wrote: »

It is horrifying to learn that fires can be caused by strong sunlight unless some boy scout type is trying to start one deliberately with a magnifying glass but I can see how crystals could do the same job.

It's a relatively common problem in sunny weather - crystals, particularly hanging in windows; crystal door knobs; mirrors; glass ornaments; etc.

[Deleted User]

Yes, fortunately it was his first rental so he didn't have a lifetime of stuff in there. So its a blow (never seen my normally calm ex in the state he's been in) but could be worse. Lots of soda crystals and ariel, lots of washing (up to 3) and bags of clothes are being restored to unsmokiness. I now have a radial dryer for airing lol (well, when its not raining lol).

He's very very lucky with the LL, this is going to cost the insurer a frightening amount of money. There is no way a tenant could expect a LL to be so calm about it.

Everyone I know is going to be getting contents insurance. Really brings home how things can go wrong.

I am totally sick of washing and drying lol. But I don't like waste so wanted to see what I could rescue.

I checked my contents insurance, it only mention absence being notifiable after 60 days so it does seem to vary (although I am rarely away even for one day cause I am a saddo).

It could be a lot worse. I'm also going to be making absolutely sure any fire alarms work. As mine seemed to be working when tested but had a hidden fault and didn't when I had a small cooker fire. As no neighbours heard my ex's alarms, can't be sure his worked so could have been rather serious with the fumes and smoke. I couldn't go into the bedroom for long even days later, the fumes were quite strong.

Lots to think about. I hope this thread makes others think too.

Smodlet

Mojisola wrote: »

It's a relatively common problem in sunny weather - crystals, particularly hanging in windows; crystal door knobs; mirrors; glass ornaments; etc.

Then thank the gods, despite OH's vaguely pagan leanings, we do not go in for such things (except for mirrors) There is definitely a case to be made for keeping the curtains closed to keep the heat out in summer as well as to keep the cold out in winter. Good thing I'm inclined to the photophobic, huh?

And, Mojisola, you lovely, helpful poster of my acquaintance, I am sorry but I can think of no excuse for crystal door knobs however, chacun a son gout.

Deannatrois, I sincerely hope you will not be offended by the lightness of my tone. I thank you for posting such a cautionary tale and trust it will be of help to many, if only to alert them to the dangers of reflective surfaces in sunny weather and the lack of contents insurance for tenants.

Mojisola

Smodlet wrote: »

And, Mojisola, you lovely, helpful poster of my acquaintance, I am sorry but I can think of no excuse for crystal door knobs however, chacun a son gout.

Maybe these people had second thoughts about their door knobs -
https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/news/2014-news/crystal-door-knob-starts-house-fire/

(Relatives in the Fire Service - I get reminded about the possible unexpected risks!)

hb2

Fires being caused by crystals etc hit the news a few years ago - at which point I removed the one that had been hanging in my bedroom window since given to me by my son!

LadyDee

A fire on my estate last weekend was caused, the fire brigade reported, by sunlight focussing on the glass in an outside light - melted the plastic rubbish bin set fire to its contents, and the flames then severely damaged the garage door.

[Deleted User]

Yep, you just don't think how sunlight can be made 'stronger'. I know my ex will be putting blinds in at every window (the kitchen didn't have one).

No worries Smodlet, I have been having much humour. Stupid eejit, I managed to get a splinter straight thru my finger getting the spike for the radial dryer bedded in concrete that set in seconds rather than minutes (was hitting it wildly with a wooden pole in complete panic). Minor injuries sent me 2 hours travel away to plastics..,for a splinter. Much rueful humour. It only happens to me, fire, radial dryer, novice, heat, instant setting concrete, panic, pole, splinter straight thru finger. Sod and Murphy rule again. The size of the local injection oh god lolol. Yep humour time. Wear gloves when handling wood always.

Oh well, dryer is straight. Just, but sticking 2 inches above the ground. No I am not digging it out and starting again lol. It serves as a reminder of having all the measuring tools in the world by my side but being defeated by a wooden pole and sunlight (with a strong dose of Murphy and Sod's laws).

Smodlet

deannatrois wrote: »

Yep, you just don't think how sunlight can be made 'stronger'. I know my ex will be putting blinds in at every window (the kitchen didn't have one).

No worries Smodlet, I have been having much humour. Stupid eejit, I managed to get a splinter straight thru my finger getting the spike for the radial dryer bedded in concrete that set in seconds rather than minutes (was hitting it wildly with a wooden pole in complete panic). Minor injuries sent me 2 hours travel away to plastics..,for a splinter. Much rueful humour. It only happens to me, fire, radial dryer, novice, heat, instant setting concrete, panic, pole, splinter straight thru finger. Sod and Murphy rule again. The size of the local injection oh god lolol. Yep humour time. Wear gloves when handling wood always.

Oh well, dryer is straight. Just, but sticking 2 inches above the ground. No I am not digging it out and starting again lol. It serves as a reminder of having all the measuring tools in the world by my side but being defeated by a wooden pole and sunlight (with a strong dose of Murphy and Sod's laws).

Thank you for taking that in the spirit it was intended, deannatrois. It is obviously entirely your choice but, like others, I do not understand why you care so much about your ex's problems... I hope he is similarly there for you, given he has left you with your two sons. I also think he is incredibly lucky to have such a LL... It is not artful, is it? Could there be two?

hb2

Deanna, I'm glad you can still see the humour in the situation! Hope the hurty finger mends soon.

[Deleted User]

Ha ha definitely not artful. But it is nice to see that a helpful professional LL exists elsewhere. After my experiences I had given up hope lol.

As to helping, its just what I do. Its a two way street sometimes. He's helped me a lot with moving and keeping me calm at times. Its a weird relationship lol. We don't always get on, very different personalities, lots of hurt at times but when the chips are down we know who to turn to. Wierd but such is life.