How smart are reporters at the New York Times? Well, at least some of them don't know you can't put metal in the microwaves. Seriously. What follows is a memo of shame that went around the office this morning, after a little fire on the second floor of their nice new building.

There was a small fire on the 2nd floor this morning, apparently the result of someone putting a metal container in the microwave. People nearby were startled by seeing flames; then someone incorrectly attempted to use water to douse the fire, something that is clearly dangerous. Signage is going up by all the microwaves to use paper, ceramic or plastic containers. Building operations folks asked for a reminder against the use of metal containers.

We hear the fire was a delightful mixture of Halloween orange and Renzo red.