While journalist are usually encouraged to get as close as possible to their subjects, sometimes a bit of distance is best.

BBC reporter Quentin Sommerville learnt this the hard way when reporting on the burning of seized drugs in the Middle East.

In this video, originally entitled 'Don't Inhale,' Sommerville repeatedly flubs his lines as the fumes from the blaze appear to take hold.

Sommerville posted the blooper yesterday as a Christmas surprise for his Twitter followers. 

According to the Telegraph, the clip was recorded about four years ago and never broadcast.