Posted on 09/03/2013 6:13:46 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
A new London skyscraper dubbed the "Walkie Talkie" has been blamed for reflecting light which melted parts of a car parked on a nearby street.
Martin Lindsay parked his Jaguar on Eastcheap, in the City of London, on Thursday afternoon.
When he returned about two hours later, he found parts of his car - including the wing mirror and badge - had melted.
Mr Lindsay said he "could not believe" the damage. The developers have apologised and paid for repairs.
The 37-storey skyscraper at 20 Fenchurch Street, which has been nicknamed the "Walkie Talkie" because of its shape, is currently under construction.
'Dangerous'
Mr Lindsay, director of tiling company Moderna Contracts Ltd, said: "I was walking down the road and saw a photographer taking photos and asked, 'what's happening?'
"The photographer asked me 'have you seen that car? The owner won't be happy.'
"I said: 'I am the owner. Crikey, that's awful.'"
The wing mirror, panels and Jaguar badge had all melted, Mr Lindsay said.
"You can't believe something like this would happen," he added. "They've got to do something about it.
"It could be dangerous. Imagine if the sun reflected on the wrong part of the body.
"On the windscreen, there was a note from the construction company saying 'your car's buckled, could you give us a call?'"
In a joint statement, developers Land Securities and Canary Wharf said: "We are aware of concerns regarding the light reflecting from 20 Fenchurch Street and are looking into the matter.
"As a precautionary measure, the City of London has agreed to suspend three parking bays in the area which may be affected while we investigate the situation further."
Mr Lindsay said the developers had apologised and agreed to sort out the £946 repair costs.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...
There’s your global warming.
But, did you actually get it repainted? The painting contractor sent someone from this company:
The work was all done in his driveway. They washed his car thoroughly, and then removed the paint flecks with a razor blade.
The thing is a giant solar cooker, on its side.
In his younger days, the designer fried ants with a magnifying glass.
At some point in his career he noticed, “hey, people look like ants from up here.”
The rest, as they say, is history.
I wonder if they are using low E glass. I have a garden window with it, and you can really feel the heat if you stand in the reflected sunlight.
Maybe that could consider a non reflective finish on the windows.
Something like this was built near my parents’ home.
In their living room the sun now sets in the west, and the north.
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