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WW2 Bottle Ignites Dog Lead on Beach
8 May
Summary
- A man's dog lead caught fire from a suspected WW2 ordnance bottle.
- The bottle, found on Crimdon Beach, emitted smoke and flames when opened.
- Authorities warn beachgoers to be cautious of washed-up bottles.
A walk along Crimdon Beach in Hartlepool took a dangerous turn for Tony Lovell when a bottle he discovered began to smoke and catch fire. Lovell had initially picked up the bottle, suspecting it might be a vintage gin container, but noticed a peculiar smell upon removing its lid.
The bottle's contents ignited the dog lead Lovell was holding, prompting him to quickly discard it. Emergency services were alerted, with the hazardous area response team from the North East Ambulance Service attending. Bomb disposal experts were also called to the scene, suggesting the object may have been ordnance from World War Two.
This incident follows a discovery last month of approximately 150 phosphorus-based grenades from WW2 on the same beach. While the exact nature of Lovell's find remains unconfirmed, it highlights a persistent danger from historical conflict materials. Lovell has since urged the public to be vigilant and avoid handling unfamiliar items found on beaches, emphasizing that seemingly innocuous objects can harbor hidden risks from long-past conflicts.
