14 DAY TRIAL // A man from the UK has found parts of his luxury car melted down after parking it near a skyscraper with a unique shape.
The Walkie Talkie City skyscraper has gotten its name from its curves and overall design. It is located on 20 Fenchurch Street in London.
The structure is wider above than it is on its lower levels, and it is 37 stories high. Local newspapers have described light reflecting on its surface and melting parts of an expensive Jaguar.
According to The Guardian, the Jaguar XJ belongs to Martin Lindsay, who was surprised to see that his wing mirror, panels and Jaguar badge melted in one hour.
He parked the car, then returned not long after to see the damage has already been done. The building is still under construction and it is located in the city's financial district, where several skyscrapers have been erected.
A spokesperson for Land Securities and Canary Wharf describes that the “natural death ray” is created during specific times of the day, when the sun is in certain positions on the skyline.
“The phenomenon is caused by the current elevation of the sun in the sky. It currently lasts for approximately two hours per day, with initial modeling suggesting that it will be present for approximately two to three weeks,” they state.
Lindsay warns about the construction injuring people.
“They’re going to have to think of something. I’m gutted. [...] How can they let this continue?” he asks.
According to the Independent, another motorist has complained about damage to his Vauxhall Vevar van.
“The van looks a total mess – every bit of plastic on the left hand side and everything on the dashboard has melted, including a bottle of Lucozade that looks like it has been baked. When I got in the van it was a really strange light - like it was illuminated and they were filming,” says Eddie Cannon, an engineer working with heating and air conditioning.