A MAN suffered a serious eye injury after an improvised flame torch exploded in his face.

Firefighters said the man was attempting to light a garden chiminea using a deodorant aerosol and a cigarette lighter when it exploded in his face.

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The man suffered burns to his left eye and has currently lost 70 per cent vision.

The man’s daughter also suffered burns to her hand during the incident which happened at a property in Duke Street, Colne, at 4.45pm on Saturday.

They were both taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital but have since been discharged.

Firefighters have issued a safety warning following the incident.

Mick Angland said: “It seems with the current fine weather, the ‘chiminea and barbecue season’ is upon us.

“Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service would like to remind people that only products specifically designed to light chimineas and barbecues should be used.” Liquids such as petrol, lighter fluid, nail varnish remover, aerosol gas, etc. are very volatile and dangerous if used incorrectly, and should be kept well away.

In 2014 a 19-year-old woman died when petrol was used on a chiminea in Chorley.