Screen stops skyscraper damage

A temporary scaffold screen has been set up to try and stop further damage being done after a skyscraper reflected the sun's rays. The City of London gave the go-ahead for the screen to be installed at street level along Eastcheap.

Now, the developers behind one of London's newest skyscrapers have tonight said they'll build a scaffolding screen around it -- after cars parked nearby started melting.

The sun's reflection on 20 Fenchurch Street -- known better as the walkie talkie -- has caused serious damage to cars, bikes and properties. So will a protective screen at street level do the trick?Ria Chatterjee has been to find out.

The owners of the London skyscraper that has apparently melted nearby cars and caused fires at properties have confirmed they are to "erect a temporary scaffold screen at street level" to deal with what they call the "phenomenon":

The developers of the Walkie Talkie skyscraper say they will erect a "temporary scaffold screen at street level" to mitigate reflections from the sun, according to Harry Wallop, the Daily Telegraph's consumer correspondent.

• Read: Skyscraper glare 'melts Jaguar'

The driver of a car which melted in the intense heat generated by reflections from the Walkie Talkie skyscraper said that the building acted like a 'magnifying glass'.

Mr Martin Lindsay was talking to LBC radio.

• Read: Skyscraper glare 'melts Jaguar'

Workers in the City of London have described how an area close to the 'Walkie Talkie' skyscraper became so hot, it appeared to damage the saddle of a bike.

At one point today, the temperature near the 'Walkie Talkie' skyscraper was recorded at 50 celsius. Solar physicist Simon Foster said it was probably the "hottest place in Europe".

The sun is now reflecting directly off the building and it's boiling hot. A solar physicist is down here with thermometer, and it's 50 celsius.