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<b>DEATH RAYS:</B> London's newest skyscraper, dubbed the "Walkie Talkie" building has been blamed for melting parts of a Jaguar parked a few streets away. <i>Image: AFP/Youtube</i>
The design of London's newest skyscraper has divided public opinion but now things are really heating up after the building's death rays caused a Jaguar's parts to melt.
LONDON, England - Developers of the unfinished "Walkie-Talkie" building - so called because of its shape - are investigating the way the building reflects sunlight, after claims that the intense glare melted parts of a luxury car parked nearby and caused a small fire outside a shop.
Video: 'Walkie-Talkie' building melts jaguar
Businessman Martin Lindsay told the BBC that his Jaguar's mirror, panels and badge had melted under the concentrated reflection. "It was parked for a couple hours in the city - it's completely warped," he said. "Ruined!"
Lindsay said the damage to car is the equivalent of about R16 000.
The owner of barber shop, Ali Akay, claimed the glare had burned a hole in his door mat. "We were working and just saw the smoke coming out of the carpet."
The half-finished, 37-floor tower is one of the most distinctively shaped skyscrapers in London's financial district. The building is expected to be completed in 2014 and, in a joint statement, developers Land Securities and Canary Wharf said they were investigating - and taking the matter seriously.
PARKING SUSPENDED
"The phenomenon is caused by the current elevation of the sun in the sky," they explained, adding that the problem lasts about two hours a day and is expected to continue for another two to three weeks.
The companies are evaluating long-term solutions to solve the problem. Meanwhile they have asked that the city suspend parking in the three slots affected, according to a statement.
The rays from the building can melt cars but how about frying eggs? Watch as sunlight from the “Walkie-Talkie” building cooks up a pavement breakfast.
LONDON, England - Developers of the unfinished "Walkie-Talkie" building - so called because of its shape - are investigating the way the building reflects sunlight, after claims that the intense glare melted parts of a luxury car parked nearby and caused a small fire outside a shop.
Video: 'Walkie-Talkie' building melts jaguar
Businessman Martin Lindsay told the BBC that his Jaguar's mirror, panels and badge had melted under the concentrated reflection. "It was parked for a couple hours in the city - it's completely warped," he said. "Ruined!"
Lindsay said the damage to car is the equivalent of about R16 000.
The owner of barber shop, Ali Akay, claimed the glare had burned a hole in his door mat. "We were working and just saw the smoke coming out of the carpet."
The half-finished, 37-floor tower is one of the most distinctively shaped skyscrapers in London's financial district. The building is expected to be completed in 2014 and, in a joint statement, developers Land Securities and Canary Wharf said they were investigating - and taking the matter seriously.
PARKING SUSPENDED
"The phenomenon is caused by the current elevation of the sun in the sky," they explained, adding that the problem lasts about two hours a day and is expected to continue for another two to three weeks.
The companies are evaluating long-term solutions to solve the problem. Meanwhile they have asked that the city suspend parking in the three slots affected, according to a statement.
The rays from the building can melt cars but how about frying eggs? Watch as sunlight from the “Walkie-Talkie” building cooks up a pavement breakfast.
