FIRE chiefs today highlighted the dangers of storing aerosol canisters in the workplace after a store owner escaped unhurt following a minor explosion.

Fire crews said a batch of aerosol air fresheners had been left on a wall-mounted heater at the Discount Fever store in Great Moor Street, Bolton. The heat caused one canister to expand then explode.

It happened yards away from the store owner as he opened a back door and walked into the building.

The explosion on Saturday morning set alight a quantity of clothing near the air fresheners. The fire had been put out as crews from Farnworth Fire Station arrived.

Station Officer Neil Mercer said: "The man was very fortunate. The aerosol canister exploded a matter of yards away from him.

"The air fresheners were stacked on a wall heater near the building's back door and we think one expanded then exploded as he walked through the door."

"I would urge people to think carefully before storing flammable items near apparatus that could cause them to ignite."

The building was left smoke-logged.