Crystal Ball Causes House Fire Near Wisconsin Dells

CBS Minnesota ^ | March 10, 2021

[nickcarraway]

A crystal ball didn’t predict a fire in Wisconsin — but it did start one.

This happened Monday at a home near Wisconsin Dells. The Dalton Fire Department says a crystal ball was sitting near a window, and when the sun hit it, it set the couch on fire.

Investigators say the ball worked like a magnifying glass and focused the sun’s energy.

No one was hurt, but the fire caused about $250,000 worth of damage to the home.

[COBOL2Java]

I hate when that happens

[monkeyshine]

Trump's fault!

[Dutch Boy]

Physics applied to everyone. Including those that don’t understand it.

Crystal balls are meant to be kept in seedy room of a fortune teller not is the sunlight?

[COBOL2Java]

"I see a problem in your house!"

[Red Badger]

Bet they didn’t see that coming!.....................

[PROCON]

Did the crystal ball's owner foresee this would happen?

Insurance scam?

[luckymom]

That actually happened to us, but with a glass paperweight, not a crystal ball. It was on the nightstand under a window and the sun hit it just right- or wrong, I guess! 🤦🏻‍♀️

[taxcontrol]

This is the real reason why crystal balls are covered with a cloth.

[Veggie Todd]

Did it fry any ants?

[Noumenon]

(Gazes into crystal ball) I have seen your future...

What!? What is it?

You don't have one.

[Steely Tom]

My father told me about an incident that happened at his work place more than 50 years ago.

There was a car fire in one of the parking lots. Turned out the cause was sunlight focused on the floor mat of the car by one of those old-fashioned one-gallon glass jugs; this one was filled with something pretty transparent, like water or vinegar.

[IYAS9YAS]

A buddy of mine’s mother learned the hard way not to leave a makeup mirror sitting face up on the dash of her car. The sun’s rays, slightly curved by the windshield, bounced off her makeup mirror and scorched a 3-4” long by 3/4” wide spot on the headliner of her 1980s Honda Accord.

[fidelis]

I warned Gandalf this would happen if he left his palantir just laying around.

[Ingtar]

A few years ago, I read where a lady burned much of her house by stuffing a dirty diaper in a clear plastic bag and then tossing the sealed bag onto her porch. The sun created serious methane and ignited it. I can just imagine trying to tell your insurer what happened in either case.

[PIF]

Old Kingdom Egyptians used them to start a fire, and with water inserted inside as decorations.

[neal1960]

Same here. Our daughter had one on her chest of drawers and it nearly caught her school books on fire
Luckily, we were home and smelled the smoke. Close call.

[ncdrumr]

Do Styx know? Was it the keyboard solo?

[bigbob]

it’s the Dells...

[Robert DeLong]

Kind of strange, as the piano (against the wall with the opening) is very charred but the walls are not