A group of naturists in Throckley, near Newcastle-upon-Tyne, alerted fire and rescue authorities after they noticed several burning barrels of illegally dumped chemical waste near their clubhouse.

A total of 16 containers, which were individually filled with acetyline, oxygen, propane and butane, had been deposited near a motorway about 400 metres from the Tando naturist club.

Club secretary Micheal Daly told info4fire: "It was irresponsible to the point of criminal but luckily we were never in danger." Members of the club were assured they did not need to evacuate after fire crews established the chemicals were non-explosive.

All of the barrels had been damaged and some were set on fire with a few puncture holes visible, “possibly [made] by a bullet,” Charlie Hall, group manager of Tyne and Wear Fire Service, said.

Firefighters were called around 3.30pm on Monday, where they used a hose reel to dampen out the flames and cool the fire. Around 50 firefighters attended throughout the afternoon and evening. It was out by 8pm.