Possible connection?
There was an item on "Fair Go" a little while ago which has a parallel to this story.
From memory, someone around the Central Otago area had claimed insurance on a burn-damaged seat cover on the rear seat of his 4WD. The cause of the burning was from a bottle of water sitting between the front seats and focussing the sun's rays onto the rear seat panel. The insurance comapny said "Rubbish", but Fair Go proved that it could happen, but primarily with only one or two types of water bottle which were the perfect shape to act as a focussing lense.
I may have the vehicle type or location wrong, even the TV programme, but I have a strong memory of the story, as I too suspected it was a put-on.
Anyone else remember it?
Le Vieux