A London building caused ‘heated’ controversy last week, after being blamed for starting fires and melting nearby cars.

The Huffington Post reports that the a 37-story skyscraper under construction at 20 Fenchurch Street, locally referred to as the ‘Walkie Talkie’ due to its shape, has now been renamed the ‘Walkie Scorchie’ due to it apparently magnifying sunlight  onto nearby buildings and vehicles.

The £200m (A$340m) construction is reported to have “blistered paintwork, caused tiles to smash and singed fabric”, according to angry business owners nearby.

Motorist Martin Lindsay also claimed intense heat reflected off the building’s windows melted part of his Jaguar parked on the street outside.

Developers Land Securities and Canary Wharf have agreed to pay for repair work and have erected a large temporary screen to reduce the likelihood of further damage.

"We have liaised extensively with local businesses to keep them informed throughout. We have decided on this course of action with their input and agreement,” a company spokesperson said.