FIRE officers warned about the dangers of covering boilers after a blaze at a house in Brighouse.

A man in the bungalow at Brook Street fled to safety when he discovered the blaze on Thursday evening, thanks to a smoke alarm.

Fire crews from Brighouse and Elland found the blaze in the bathroom, where towels had been placed too near a water boiler.

Crews used breathing apparatus and a hosereel to put out the fire, but the bathroom was badly damaged.

There was also water damage to the kitchen.

Watch manager Andy Medlock said: “People must ensure that if they are putting towels or other material near a boiler they are kept well away from the heat source or the flue”.