TEIGNMOUTH'S fire chief has warned that the outbreak of late night bonfires and vandalism on the back beach could lead to serious injury.

This summer there has been a spate of all night beach parties, with wood sometimes being wrenched from beach huts to fuel the fires, causing considerable damage and heartache.

Station commander Ian Radford told town councillors on Tuesday of his fears about the situation escalating.

'The beach huts are quite close together and flames could quickly spread. There are also gas bottles and other fuel stored in some, which could lead to a very serious incident.'

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