Coastguard officer injured by exploding flint after bonfire at Charmouth Beach
Fire crews are urging people to never light fires directly on rocks, as they can explode when hot
Last updated 11th May 2026
A coastguard officer has been injured after flint exploded at a large unattended bonfire on Charmouth Beach.
The incident happened at 22:40 on Sunday (10th may) night when the Lyme Regis coastguard, having responded to a false alarm further down the beach, spotted the unattended bonfire on Charmouth Beach near Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre.
They contacted Charmouth Fire Station who attended and extinguished the fire.
Charmouth Fire Station said flint inside the bonfire exploded and cut the ear of a coastguard officer.
The fire service are reminding the public to use an above-ground firepit if they are having a fire at the beach.
In a statement a spokesperson said: "Don't light a fire straight onto the rocks as they will explode if they get too hot.
"Once you have finished with the fire please make sure it is fully extinguished before leaving."