A cluster of new skyscrapers transforming the London skyline is often blamed for spoiling the view. Now one of them has been accused of "melting" a car.
Local businessman Martin Lindsay said he was distraught when he returned after an hour to his parked Jaguar XJ near the 37-storey tower to find the car's panels had warped along one side, while the wing mirror and Jaguar emblem on the front of the car had melted.
"On the windscreen, there was a note from the construction company saying: 'Your car's buckled, could you give us a call?'" Lindsay told the BBC. He "could not believe" the extent of the damage, he added.
Developers Land Securities and Canary Wharf Group have apologised and paid for the damage. They are also investigating solutions to prevent the building, known locally as the "Walkie Talkie" due to its tapered design, casting the light beam.
Land Securities and Canary, along with the City of London, blocked off an area around the building at 20 Fenchurch Street that may be affected.
The light beam, which occurs depending on the sun's elevation in the sky, lasts about two hours a day at this time of the year, the two companies said. Preliminary modelling indicates it will be present for two to three weeks, they said.