A fire broke out in a flat today after a man tried to heat up bandages in a microwave.

The bandages burst into flames and triggered a smoke alarm in the sheltered housing complex at Manville Court, Manningham, Bradford, at 3.30am.

The man, who had been hoping to ease a troublesome elbow, had managed to put the fire out by the time a crew from Fairweather Green arrived.

A fire station spokesman said: “We’re having a few fires when people have used their microwaves inappropriately.

“We’ve had bandages before and even people trying to dry off clothes.

“If people are using microwaves like this then they at least should stay with it and watch and just do it in short bursts. Don’t leave it for a prolonged time.”