Shocking photo shows how fire that ripped through car was started by sunglasses

This is the shocking image that shows how a fire that ripped through a car was started by a pair of sunglasses.

They were left on the dashboard of a vehicle in the village of Nuthall, Nottinghamshire, on Saturday.

The fire broke out at about 5.05pm and was ignited by the reflective shades magnifying a concentrated ray from the sun.

The blaze melted much of the car's plastic interior and parts of its engine bay, as well as burning a huge hole in the front windscreen.

A fire engine from Nottingham Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene and put out the blaze.

It shared an image of the aftermath through its Twitter account, writing: “The sun has been strong but beware this can cause fire.

“Earlier we attended a fire caused by sunglasses left on the dashboard.

"Make sure you keep reflective objects out of direct sunlight.”

Motorists who saw the photo thanked the fire service for the update.

One person tweeted: “Good information, looks nasty. Well done on giving out a warning and attending the fire.”

Another wrote: “Never knew that! Thanks.”

What should motorists do when driving in bright or low sun?

One of the major tips for motorists when driving in low or bright sunshine is to wear sunglasses.

A pair with polarised lenses are more effective at combatting the glare of the sun.

Drivers should also use their visors to block out the sun without hampering their vision of the road.

Another piece of advice for drivers in sunlight is to make sure their vehicle's windscreen is clean. A dirty windscreen can worsen the glare from the sun and lower visibility.

Drivers should also remove extra items from the dashboard, particularly if they are made of reflective material.

Motorists are also advised to slow down and increase their distance from other drivers in low sun.