A water pump sparked panic after it began sprouting fire and water in India.

Bizarre footage shows the pump throwing up tall 5ft-high flames in Kachar village, Madhya Pradesh, on August 24.

After hearing about the burning water pump, locals fled the area and called officials for help.

The unusual incident was reported to local authorities, who were doing investigations to secure health and safety among residents.

'I haven't seen anything happening before my eyes in my life. We were quick to inform the local administration about this rare incident,' said a resident.

Madin, one of the local council officers, added: ‘These kind of unusual flames from a water body are usually from a leak of chemical gas.'

Two other pumps in the area were also reportedly spewing flames, causing more fears among locals.

Experts believe that methane gas from decomposing plants and animals in marshes caused the flames.