Pupils at Oldmachar Academy have been warned about the “potentially fatal consequences” of their reckless behaviour after making flame-throwers part of playground stunts.
It is understood they are fashioning devices from lighters and gas refill canisters stolen from a nearby supermarket, and using them to shoot flames at one another.
Management at Asda in Middleton Park have reported a spate of thefts of the items and have informed the school that they are being used for the practice.
Head teacher, Judith Mohamed, has now written to parents asking them to highlight the dangers of the behaviour.
Mrs Mohamed wrote: “We have been contacted by Asda as a large amount of gas refills and lighter fuel has been stolen by pupils.
“They have information that the items have been stolen to make ignited aerosols.
“I would ask that parents speak to their child about the potentially fatal consequences of such actions.”
Police would not comment on whether local officers were aware of the dangerous use the reportedly stolen gas canisters were being put to.
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: “As the safety of our young people is of paramount importance, the head teacher sent out a message to parents advising them to highlight to their children the potential consequences of their actions”.
Last night, Bridge of Don councillor John Reynolds added: “Obviously the theft itself is bad enough but lighter fuels are extremely dangerous and uncontrollable – despite what young people might think.
“They could blow themselves up and suffer really bad physical injury.
“I think the young people are experimenting, but they don’t realise how dangerous these things really could be to themselves and other people.
“It’s a learning curve but the lesson shouldn’t be learned by someone being hurt.”
A spokesman for the fire service said: “We take a zero tolerance approach towards deliberate fire-setting and will work with all of our partners to identify those responsible for such behaviour.
“Setting fires not only endangers those involved, it also puts our communities and firefighters at risk.”
The reports follow the arrest of a 14-year-old boy last month, who was accused of trying to inflict injury on a staff member in Aberdeen’s Bon Accord Shopping Centre using an aerosol and a lighter.
It was claimed the man only avoided injury because the can failed to engage.
Police said such attacks had the potential to cause “horrible, lasting injuries”.
