"Cover this by paper" and similar dangerous nonsense is very often present on many food labels. The thing is, the food producers do not bear the responsibility if something bad happens because of those advices, unless it directly makes the food dangerous. Here the paper towel by itself does not damage the food, the fact is sets the microwave on fire is not the food makers business, it is not related to the food.
I would really not put any paper into the microwave, unless it is (the paper thing) dspecially intended for use in microwaves. The thing is, the microwave oven is meant to heat especially water, but heats up whatever has ane losses on that 2.45GHz, mainly if the things are conductive or contain conductive materials. With paper you generally do not know what is in it (beside not being direct health hazard when used to pack/cover food), if e.g. it contains some carbonized fibers (created by e.g. worn out wood milling machinery) or so. Plus any splashes on it may reach temperatures to carbonize and in the carbon form overheat and ignite the paper. A single speck and because the paper is so easy to ignite, you have a fire.
To protect the mica antenna cover window from splashes (those tend to carbonize on it and then overheat, melt it and cause arcing there, usually killing the magnetron), better to use thode polypropylene cover bowls.
Actually I wouldn't be surprised if the fire started not by the paper igniting by itself, but actually the contaminated mica cover started arcing and setting the paper on fire...
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