Three manhole covers were propelled into the air after a boy threw a lit firecracker down into a sewer in southern China.

CCTV footage filmed in the city of Emeishan in Sichuan Province on January 10 shows a boy squatting on the ground to throw a lit firecracker into a manhole.

The boy and his friend then ran away quickly while three nearby manhole covers flew into the air and hit parked vehicles.

A car owner Mr Li told Hongxing News, he found his car door and engine were damaged and the maintenance fee would be at least 1,000 yuan (£121.54).

Li has reported the case to the police, but the boys and their guardians have not been found yet.

Police are investigating the case.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

1月10日晚8时许，四川峨眉山市金顶北路附近，一个男孩在井盖放鞭炮，相邻三个井盖被炸飞，砸中旁边两辆汽车。目前，当地警方正在调查中。
据当地居民张先生介绍，事发时他正在门市里做事，突然听到外面传来疑似爆炸的声音，跑到门外一看，三个井盖落在一旁，附近多辆汽车车身上溅满了疑似污泥或粪水的液体，发出难闻的臭味。
好好的井盖为何飞了？附近一家门市的监控录像还原了事发过程。原来，事发前有两名男童来到一处井盖旁，其中一人点鞭炮塞进井盖中，随后发生了爆炸，井盖弹飞一两米高，两人则快速跑开。
据了解，弹起的井盖砸中了两辆汽车。“真的是太危险了！太让人气愤了！”其中一位车主李先生告诉红星新闻记者，他从小区来到现场后发现，自己的车门和引擎盖被砸坏，维修至少要1000多元，他已经报了警，暂时还没找到涉事男童及其监护人。
目前，当地警方正在进一步调查中。
根据峨眉山市人民政府最新发布的《关于禁止燃放烟花爆竹的通告》，峨眉山市部分区域和场所以及重点时段禁止燃放烟花爆竹。其中，农历腊月十五至元宵节，峨眉山市境内全域、全时段禁止燃放烟花爆竹。