YOUNG people are being asked whether they can live with the consequences of causing a serious injury after multiple reports of youths lighting aerosol cans in recent weeks.

Firefighters were called twice in one day to young people setting fires to deodorant cans between Plottingham Playing Field and St Mary’s Playing Field in Bridport.

A week later emergency services were called to young people lighting a fire with aerosol cans at fields just off Clay Lane in Beaminster; the youths quickly made off after a can that been chucked on the fire exploded.

The behaviour mimics a dangerous online trend that circulated a few years ago called the Fire Spray Challenge, where flame throwers are created using a lighter and an aerosol can.

Read more: Firefighters called twice in one day to reports of youths setting fires in Bridport

Now, authorities have warned the dangerous activity could cause serious injury and if damage is caused to property the offender could also be liable to be prosecuted for an offence.

A spokesperson for Bridport Fire Station said: “We cannot emphasise enough how dangerous this is. Setting fires can cause damage to property and the environment and cause serious injuries especially if burning deodorant cans which will explode.

"Incidents of this nature also puts a strain on our already busy service.

"If you have noticed your child coming home smelling of smoke, even if you know this to be for a legitimate reason, we would urge you to give some simple safety advice about the dangers of fires.

"We also have a scheme to lend a helping hand if you suspect a child is setting fires."

Bridport Town Clerk Will Austin said “The town council was very concerned to hear of these incidents. Those responsible should think about the dangers of setting fire to highly explosive aerosol cans – not only to themselves but to others.

Read more: Police called to aerosol cans on a fire in Beaminster

"I’d ask them to stop and think – do you want someone else’s serious injury on your conscience? How would your family feel if you injured yourself? How would you feel if the Fire Service couldn’t attend a life-threatening fire somewhere else because they were putting out the fire you started?"

Cllr Craig Monks, chairman of Beaminster Town Council said: "We at the council are concerned to hear of these reports and urge those involved not to take part in such acts, not least for their own safety and that of others.

“But we are glad that such events are rare in our town and would urge the community to report any suspicious activity or groups lighting fires to the police and fire service on 999."

Neighbourhood Inspector Ged Want, of West Dorset police, said: “As well as this dangerous activity running the risk of causing injury and posing a fire risk, anyone who causes damage to property is also liable to be prosecuted for an offence of criminal damage.

“We will investigate any reports of this nature and would urge anyone with information about anti-social behaviour of this nature to report it to Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101.”