Seven children hurt in blast

The youngsters from Edlington, aged between seven and 13, emptied a can of nitrous methane fuel onto an outdoor brazier as they attempted to start a fire.

The can exploded and some of the children suffered severe face and chest injuries and may be left scarred for life.

Firefighters and ambulances were called to the scene on Dukes Crescent, Edlington, at around 5.45pm on Monday.

The youngsters had been playing with the brazier in the back garden.

Fire officers described the fuel as “volatile” and warned youngsters not to play around fires.

Residents have been told that they should only use approved lighters to start barbecues.

The blast fcomes after a similar incident a few weeks ago, the fire service said.

None of the children are believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries and were described as stable.