A fire in the window of a charity shop on Christmas Day morning was caused by sunlight refracting through a snow globe.

The sun’s rays ignited fake reindeer food and snow on display in the window of the shop in Bournemouth, Dorset.

Dorset fire service attended the incident at the shop in Wimborne Road, Winton, at about 11.30am.

Occupants of neighbouring properties were evacuated as firefighters put the flames out within 10 minutes of arriving on the scene.

A fire service spokesman said: “At the risk of sounding like a Christmas tale, the cause of the fire was believed to be sun refracting through a snow globe in the shop window which then ignited reindeer food and fake snow material in their window display.

“There was severe fire damage to the shop window display, heat damage to the window and severe smoke damage to the entire shop.”

The fire service warned members of the public to be vigilant if they have snow globes in their own homes.

“Fire investigators say these types of incidents are rare, but are possible, especially with the sun lower in the sky,” the spokesman said.

“Consideration should be given to the possibility that this could happen in your homes, particularly with shaving type mirrors which can focus the suns rays and cause fires.”

The window of the shop was boarded up to keep the premises secure.