Bizarre Lava-Like Glowing Rock Spotted In Scottish Field

A split in a field in Scotland has revealed a bizarre underground blaze, which has left locals concerned. You can see footage of it here:

Footage shows a split in the ground which reveals red-hot burning rock and plumes of smoke in a field in Ayrshire in Scotland. 

Tom Paton, who filmed the footage, told The Herald: "It's concerning for wildlife and for people who go up there with their dogs because if you don't already know it's there then it isn't too obvious to see.

"The smell is potent, but the actual hole in the ground is well hidden until you're right on it.

"I've got three young boys and the eldest goes up around another part of that field with his friends sometimes, so it is a worry what could happen if something isn't done."

Mr Paton said the Scottish Coal Board has erected a fence around the affected area, but doesn’t think these measures are enough for ‘such a dangerous area’. 

In a post on Facebook, he said: “The ground is deadly warm and the ground falls away at your feet. 

“I don’t understand how it’s been like this for at least three years and not much attempt to extinguish it has happened of yet.”

In a statement, East Ayrshire Council said it had first been told about the problem last summer and is ‘engaged with relevant parties’. 

A spokesperson told The Herald: "East Ayrshire Council was first made aware of this issue last summer and since then has continued to engage with both the landowner, (FLS) , and the Coal Authority as the relevant regulatory body for such issues arising from former coal mining works, in order to ensure that the situation continues to be managed and to minimise any risk to public health and safety .

"In that regard the Council is aware that appropriate safety measures were put in place, including fencing around the affected area, but unfortunately that has since been removed by unknown parties, which clearly isn’t helpful.

"The Council will continue to engage with the relevant parties to ensure they fulfil their respective obligations, and in the meantime would advise members of the public to avoid the affected area and also ask them not to interfere with any safety measures which are, or might be put, in place for their own protection."

Featured Image Credit: Tom Paton/Facebook

Topics: UK News