Residents in El Salvador have been taking part in an annual fireball-throwing festival.

Every August 31 they are hurled in honour of a huge volcanic eruption that occurred in 1922 and forced all the inhabitants to abandon the town.

But their is another interpretation of events - it is said that the hot lava that flowed from the volcano was actually a local Christian Saint named Jeronimo fighting the devil.

The modern pyrotechnics display is held to remember the old town that was destroyed.

The festivities have been going on for over a decade and consist of opposing groups launching palm-sized fireballs at each other.

Authorities fear the festival may one day get out of hand, but despite the apparent dangers there have been few serious injuries.

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