A MAN cooking on a camping stove because the ceramic hob in his Dobcross home was interfering with his heart pacemaker almost blew himself up when the gas cylinder ignited.

Oldham and Mossley firefighters were called to terraced home in Platt Lane on Sunday evening.

The man in his 60s had changed the cylinder, but the clip had not been pushed in far enough and gas escaped.

When he lit the stove the gas ignited, scorching cupboards in the kitchen. Fortunately, he had a fire blanket to hand and the danger was over before fire crews arrived.

Oldham red watch manager Phil Courtnell said the man’s “prompt action” had prevented a major kitchen fire.