This is the moment a Chinese fireworks display that involves molten metal erupts into flames when sparks accidentally ignite a bunch of helium balloons being sold to the crowd.

Hundreds of people gathered to watch the so-called “iron flower” show taking place outside a shopping centre in Guangzhou‘s Nansha District.

The tradition which is often staged at New Year uses molten metal heated up to 600 degrees centigrade to simulate fireworks and is usually carefully managed to avoid the burning hot droplets reaching the ground.

Despite the fact that the balloon seller was quite a way back from the safety fence, it is believed that a small piece of the molten metal flowed through the air and hit one of the balloons, instantly causing it to explode.

As they set alight other balloons, it caused panic among the crowd as the small fire quickly became a large fireball, causing people to flee.

A spokesperson from the mall confirmed that the iron flower show had been organized as part of the New Year’s Eve celebration. Featuring a heritage art performance that would have taken place in the early afternoon on 31st December.

They insisted that the event had been carefully managed and are looking into how the accident. Involving the balloons occurred, but also were still trying to check whether anybody had been injured.

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The video that was posted on Douyin, China’s version of Tiktok captures the chaos. And the scattering of people as the hydrogen balloon catches fire after coming into contact with the sparks.

A user called ‘Villager’ commented: “The hydrogen balloon has to go and join in the fun.”

Another called ‘KG’ commented: “I want to ask, who paid for the balloons?”

A third called ‘Lan’ added: “I have to show my son.”