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JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A blind Pennsylvania man has died after accidentally setting his clothes on fire while trying to warm a towel in a microwave oven.
Sixty-eight-year-old James Shaffer told investigators he was warming the towel to put it on his sore leg Tuesday evening in Stonycreek Township. But investigators say using a microwave to warm a dry towel will cause it to burn within 15 seconds and that's what happened to Shaffer.
Shaffer didn't realize the towel was burning, and he set his clothes on fire.
Oakland Fire Department deputy chief David Ream says Shaffer was burned over 80 percent of his body. He remained calm and even apologized to emergency responders as he was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital.
He died early Wednesday from inhaling hot air and fumes.
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