A WARNING has gone out to laptop users after a woman burned her leg when her computer caught fire.

Firefighters were called to a house in Bluebell Way, Huncoat, at 11.10am yesterday where they extinguished the machine, which had been resting on the woman’s knee while being used.

Hyndburn watch manager Phil Whittaker said: “The laptop burst into flames and scolded the young woman on the knee.

She refused medical treatment, but we gave her a gel to help with the stinging.

“It also burned a big hole in the carpet from where she dropped the machine in shock.

“These types of fires are more common than people think.

It is very important that laptops are used on hard surfaces and are well-ventilated, especially when they are plugged into the mains.”