A fisherman who took home a military grade flare "as a memento" had to call emergency services after he found it smoking in his back garden.

It transpired that the flare had only partially detonated, leaving poisonous phosphorus material leaking out.

The crew of Orange Watch from Truro Fire Station was called to a house in the city,

A spokesperson said: "The owner of the premises caught the flare in his fishing nets and brought it home as a memento.

Falmouth Packet:

The flare found in fishing nets. Photo: Truro Fire Station

"Crews cordoned off the area, informed all the residents to stay inside until further notice, laid out fire cover and requested the Naval Bomb Disposal experts from Plymouth.

"The Naval Bomb Disposal team collected the flare in the safest correct manner and under a police escort, took the flare to Perranporth beach to detonate it safely."

Read more: Explosion on beach

The spokesperson said that while the incident had been brought to a safe conclusion, the fire service would like to remind people to be careful with what they take home.

"The flare had clear markings on it and was extremely dangerous. Had the flare detonated it could have been a very different incident.

"A big thank you to all involved," added the station.

Falmouth Packet:

Emergency services at the house in Truro. Photo: Truro Fire Station

The incident promoted Falmouth Coastguard to share the information with a warning, saying: "This incident is a reminder of exactly why we ask you to call for help as soon as you find items like this.

"Phosphorus is very unstable when it mixes with the oxygen in the air. It can leave a person with devastating and sometimes fatal burns."

The spokesperson went on to say that anyone who finds such a thing on the coast should not touch it but call 999 and ask for coastguard.

They should also take a photo of the object if they are able to do so safely, as the Coastguard Operations Centre may ask for an image to help with identification.

The coastguard said that in this case, however, it had been correct to call the fire service due to the device being in the person's garden rather than the coast.