A father has warned of the dangers of keeping reflective objects near windows after a Nutella jar caused a devastating fire in his home, in which the family’s pet dog died.

Declan Murphy, 41, was out with his wife and two children to celebrate his anniversary when he was called by a neighbour to say his home in Fielding Avenue, Twickenham, was on fire.

Four fire engines and 21 firefighters from Twickenham and Feltham were sent to the house at about 1.40pm on Sunday, February 15.

The fire was brought under control at 3.14pm, but half of the first floor and 100 per cent of the roof were left damaged.

Mr Murphy said: “We went out for breakfast and went shopping after that and got a call from one the neighbours saying the house is on fire.

“We were on our way back and we thought ‘how bad can it be?’

“Everything just comes crashing down around you. We have got nothing left.

“It is going to be a long process and at least six to nine months or a year before we can move back.”

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

The damage to the roof and back of the home (Credit: London Fire Brigade)

The father-of-two said he believed the fire was caused by a Nutella jar used to store loom bands on an upstairs windowsill reflecting the sunlight, which caused the blind to catch alight.

The family’s pet dog, Chilli, a nine-year-old jack russell, died after suffering from smoke inhalation and Mr Murphy said their beloved pet died in his arms.

He said: “The fire brigade got her out and she was in the back of the fire engine being given oxygen and I was trying to massage her heart.

“She was a legend of a dog and everybody knew her.”

Speaking about the impact of the fire, Mr Murphy said it was “quite overwhelming”.

He added: “People have to get reflective stuff off of their windowsills.

“You just don’t realise.”

Charlie Pugsley, from London Fire Brigade's fire investigation unit, said: "It sounds far fetched that a jar containing a few rubber bands caused a severe house fire but that’s exactly what happened.

"It’s worth spending five minutes checking that your window ledges are clear of any glass or crystal that might lead to potentially life changing blaze."