YOUTHS are being warned of the dangers of starting fires – after police discovered an aerosol had been thrown into a fire on a beach.

Police were alerted last week to young people throwing items onto a fire at St Bees Beach, which caused an explosion.

A fire boss has now issued a warning over the dangers of such incidents and starting fires during periods of hot weather with no rain.

Colin Wright, a station manager at Whitehaven and Workington for Cumbria Fire & Rescue, said: “It seems fairly obvious that it’s not a great idea.

"Even empty aerosol cans can explode and will explode in an uncontrolled manner.

“When they explode, they rupture and there are sharp bits of metal going wherever they want to.

"Inside the house, it would be horrendous. Outside the house, it’s still really dangerous.  

“I suppose young people are attracted to the fact that it’s going to make a loud bang but with that bang comes that uncontrolled release of bits of metal.”

Mr Wright said incidents become more common in the summer months during lighter evenings and warm weather.

He said: “Obviously there are dangers from aerosol cans. This time of year, we are seeing more fires spreading from where they were originally set – uncontrolled fires – around the county at the moment, through kids playing with fire.

“The dangers are significant. Kids can get injured and then there’s the second danger of a fire going out of control and damaging the environment.

“Disposable barbeques are a big issue – after being used they are discarded and we are generally seeing them discarded in a bush or down a banking, or being disposed while still hot and setting the bin on fire.

“We are not telling people to not use them. We are telling them to use them with care.

"Everything is super dry at the moment because it hasn’t rained.”

A spokesman for Copeland Police said: “On May 30, PC Pickering-Smith and PC Hindle attended St Bees Beach following concerns raised by a member of the public about young people throwing items on a small fire which resulted in it exploding.

“The young people responsible had left prior to our arrival but the smouldering fire was located containing a damaged aerosol can. This is not only anti-social but also extremely dangerous.

“Aerosol cans can explode into flames and self propel significant distances when exposed to high temperatures, needless to say this could cause lasting effects if it hits someone.”

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Cumbria Fire and Rescue say throwing aerosol cans into fires can be dangerous and cause serious injuries or worse.

Aerosol cans contain pressurised gas which can explode when exposed to heat. When thrown into a fire it causes the gas to expand rapidly, which can lead to a fire or explosion.

In addition, throwing aerosol cans into fires can also cause long term health problems, such as respiratory issues, skin conditions and other health problems.

To avoid these dangers and health risks, it is important to dispose of them properly. Empty aerosol cans should be recycled or taken to a hazardous waste disposal facility. Full aerosol cans should be stored in a cool dry place, away from heat and direct sunlight.

Anyone who sees someone throwing an aerosol can into a fire, is advised to call 999 to alert the Fire Service.