My friend also had a light with a magnified lens on it. She was home and smelled smoke. The sunlight had hit the lens and her recliner had a burn hole in it. She now keeps a sewn bag over the lens.

Oh Francie, that's terrible. So glad you were home.

Years ago I was sprinkling clothes to roll up and place in the fridge in preparation for ironing later in the day. The kitchen had 3 huge bay type windows and it was a gorgeous summer day. All of a sudden I saw smoke curling up out of the center of the pile yet to be sprinkled. Of course I put it out but I called the fire dept for an explanation and wad told the water in the soda pop bottle I was using as a sprinkler acted as a prism and the sun, streaming through the windows and sprinkler had started the fire.

The sun burned a long strip in my coffee table by shining through the magnifying lens of a floor lamp. As the sun moved across the sky the strip got longer. Smelled terrible.

Wowzers!!

I have a lamp with a built-in magnifier, and there is a sort of "lid" that snaps closed over the top of the lens. This is a good reminder to make sure to close that lid every time I am done using it!

Luckily I keep windows covered with mini blinds or curtains. We are gone most of the day, don't need any fires.

Yikes I have just dashed through to my lounge to check that I have a cover on as it sits on the end of the table where the sun streams in, thank goodness I have a cover on, panic over but thanks for the heads up.

Wow, going to go put a cover on mine now! What a scarey thing to have happen.
Glad you were home and everything is okay.