MEMBERS of the public have been warned to stay clear of a field of "lava" - with a worried dad raising concerns it could kill.

       Shocking footage shows a red-hot cavity situated next to a former caravan park in Ayrshire, Scotland.

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       Shocking footage shows a red-hot cavity situated next to a former caravan park Credit: Tam Paton / Facebook 2

       One stunned local warned the cavity could 'kill somebody' Credit: Tam Paton / Facebook

       The incredible clip reveals molten rock bubbling through a mass of scorched grass, despite the below freezing temperatures.

       The hazardous site, which is not fenced off, shows plumes of grey smoke pouring out from cracks in the charred lawn.

       Stunned locals fear the perilous pit could cause serious injury or even death, with one commenting: " I didn’t realise it was that bad. That's so dangerous, it could kill somebody if the ground collapsed."

       Another said: "It’s ludicrous that this is allowed to continue to burn like this without proper monitoring."

       While one added: "Going to be a disaster there. All it takes is some curious weans getting too close and the will give way. Doesn't bear thinking about."

       The phenomenon's been caused by a disused coal mine beneath the site and, according to one local, it has been burning for more than three years.

       Tom Paton, 39, told Ayrshire Live : “It’s been burning solid for the best part of three and half years.

       “It doesn’t matter how cold it gets, when we have snow it just melts away instantly.

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       “It becomes worse in the summer months.

       “The smell is potent. You can smell the ground burning the minute you get near the field.

       “Bits of it have all turned to dust and fallen away.

       “It is over a vast area, about the size of a football pitch and it's only getting bigger."

       Council chiefs are aware of the occurrence and are putting relevant measures in place to minimise the risk.

       A spokesperson for the local authority said: "East Ayrshire Council were first made aware of this issue last summer and since then has continued to engage with both the landowner 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."

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