A 14-year-old girl was taken to hospital with serious burns after an accident with a spray can.
Police said the youngster unwittingly created a "flame-thrower effect" by applying a cigarette lighter to the aerosol at an address in Baronia Croft, Colchester.
Skin was peeled off her leg by the blast and she went to hospital by ambulance, at about 6.45pm on Tuesday.
Det Sgt Napier said the mishap should serve as a warning to others.
Published Thursday August 19, 2004
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