LAKE DELTON, Wis. – Sunshine pouring into a living room window focused light through a decorative crystal ball and set a couch ablaze. Flames spread, causing $250,000 damage. The owner came home about 4:15 p.m. to find thick black smoke throughout the house. Firefighters put the fire out quickly, but the damage was done. Lesson learned: Keep items like crystals, glass and bottles away from sunlight, lest they magnify and focus sunlight into an ignition point.
Pretty but dangerous. Lake view still gorgeous, but inside not so much. The crystal ball isn’t as innocent as it looks. Image: Delton Fire Department