House fire was caused by pillow (From Warrington Guardian)

House fire was caused by pillow

HOUSEHOLDERS are being urged to take extra care when using microwaveable heated pillows after one burst into flames and caused a house fire in Blackbrook.

An elderly woman was treated for smoke inhalation after the small fire in a bedroom at the home on Orange Grove at 3.21am on Monday.

Firefighters say the blaze was started after a barley pillow, which can be put into the microwave to heat up, combusted.

A spokesman for Warrington Fire Station said: "It is important that people follow the guidelines for using these pillows.

"It is meant to be put in the microwave for just two or three minutes and you are also meant to put a cup of water in the microwave as well so that the pillow stays moist. It is also important that the pillow is not totally covered by blankets."

Firefighters and an ambulance crew attended the scene of the incident but the small fire was out on arrival and the woman living there was not taken to hospital.