A MAN is in hospital suffering from burns on his face and arms after someone threw an aerosol can on to a fire.

The man, who is aged 30, and from Atherton, was drinking with friends on a patch of open land in Abbey Lane, Westleigh, at 2am yesterday when the accident happened.

The can exploded in a fireball which left one of the men with serious burns on his arms and face. Firefight ers said the force of the blast was so loud that people living half a mile away could hear it.

Nearby residents alerted the fire service, who came to the scene and quickly put out the fire.

Paramedics treated the injured man at the scene and took him to The Royal Bolton Hospital for further examination.

A police spokesman said the man’s injuries were not life-threatening and he was due to be allowed home today after being kept in for observation.

The incident has drawn a stark warning from fire chiefs who have urged people not to play around with fire.

A fire service spokesman said: “In this instance, there were a group of men who had been drinking a lot of alcohol and having a good time, but then someone had a stupid idea and thrown something on to the fire that has then immediately exploded.

“We would urge people to think about their actions.

“Not only do incidents like this put the lives of those nearby at risk, but they tie up our resources when someone else could desperately need our services at the same time.

“Aerosols should be kept well away from fire at all times.”