A warning has been issued after a rock found on a Cumbrian beach set a man’s clothes on fire.
Millom Coastguard have warned people to be very careful picking up unidentified objects on Cumbria’s beaches after a man put an interesting rock in his pocket – only for it to set his clothes on fire.
The man, who was out for a morning walk on Drigg beach yesterday, Thursday January 16, said the rock was just smaller than a tennis ball and was chipped, revealing a bright orange crystal in the centre.
After washing excess sand from the rock he put it inside his jacket pocket and continued on with his walk.
A few moments later the man said he could smell smoke but when he turned to look for the source of the smell, he realised his jacket and waterproof trousers were on fire.
Luckily, the man managed to quickly remove the clothing and was unharmed apart from a slight burn on his thumb. The strange rock had also burnt itself away.
Millom Coastguard said they are attending the scene in an attempt to identify any remains of the object and arrange for the relevant agencies to dispose of any remains of the item.
It is not known yet if the stone was a piece of phosphorus or a different kind of flammable material or substance.
A spokesperson for the rescue team said: “If you see anything which looks unnatural or out of place leave it where it is and call 999 ask for Coastguard.
“We will attend the scene attempt to identify the object then arrange for the relevant agencies to dispose of the item. This was one very lucky chap. The outcome could have been so much worse.
“We would rather be called out for something innocent than have someone scarred for life or worse. We can arrange for safe disposal of suspected objects.”
