YANAR BULAG, AZERBAIJAN Yanar Bulag (‘burning spring’), a spring that emits water and fire at the same time, is 6 kilometres north of central Astara in southern Azerbaijan. Water flows from a metal stand pipe inside a small pavilion; when a match or other ignition source is touched to the water, the water ignites in fire. This occurs as the water has very high methane content, though locals believe the water from the springs has remedial properties. People in the region collect water from the spring, and tourists often take a drink of the water while the pipe’s top is lit. Zoroastrianism, a religion where fire and water are considered agents of ritual purity, was founded in this region 2,500 years age. Zoroastrianism is now a minority religion in the area. If drinking water infused with methane isn't your thing, you can always visit Naftalan, another city in Azerbaijan. There is a spa there where you can bathe in oil: http://on.fb.me/QgeDJj -TEL http://atlasobscura.com/place/fire-spring-yanar-bulag; http://discoverazerbaijan.az/en/astara/; http://www.lonelyplanet.com/azerbaijan/southern-azerbaijan/astara/sights/water/yanar-bulag Image: M Connor http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5458165699_d3b486d780.jpg