Fire challenge explained

The fire challenge is an internet challenge which involves applying flammable liquids to one's body and then setting the liquids aflame, while being video recorded; the footage is then posted to social media sites.[1] [2] [3] [4] Firefighters, police officers and media sources have criticized and spoken out against the activity, hoping to dissuade individuals from trying it due to its harmful nature.[5] [6] [7]

The first known fire challenge video was uploaded in 2012.[8] The activity gained mainstream media attention in 2014.

Effect

Immediate first through second degree burns are the direct results of undergoing the activity.[7] [9] One teenager from Kentucky who participated in the challenge described the subsequent pain as "unbearable."[10] [11]

In addition to the obvious dangers, many participants run away in panic without dousing the flames first, allowing the oxygen to cause the flames to spread more easily. Another immediate danger is the participants inhaling superheated air, which can then damage the lungs.[12]

Reactions

Writing for The Huffington Post, in response to viewing a video of a youth attempting the challenge, Andres Jauregui stated on the behalf of his coworkers:

"We're basically speechless. We hang out with guys who eat lightbulbs, and we're still shocked. Granted, those guys are trained professional performers, where as [''[[sic]]] this appears to be a misguided youth. The scariest part is that he's not the only person who is doing this."[9]
Writing for the Washington Post, Caitlin Dewey noted "YouTube has known its fair share of dangerous, destructive and ill-advised trends, but even by those standards, the 'fire challenge' hits new lows."[13]

Multiple local and state fire departments have spoken out against the fire challenge, often citing the significant harm and the unpredictability of fire for their reasoning.[14] [15] [16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2 August 2014 . Colorado Fire Officials Warn About Teens Taking The 'Fire Challenge' . 3 August 2014 . CBS News.
  2. Web site: 22 June 2014 . 11-year-old boy set himself on fire in 'fire challenge' game . 3 August 2014 . WPLG.
  3. Web site: Smith . Jessica . 1 August 2014 . Dangerous 'fire challenge' game spreads online . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140805221626/http://wishtv.com/2014/08/01/dangerous-fire-challenge-game-spreads-online/ . 5 August 2014 . 3 August 2014 . WISH-TV.
  4. News: Emery . Sean . 1 August 2014 . Santa Ana teen hospitalized after he takes the 'fire challenge' . 2 August 2014 . Orange County Register.
  5. Web site: 2 August 2014 . "Fire challenge" spreads to Rochester . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140811021114/http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S3522331.shtml . 11 August 2014 . 3 August 2014 . WHEC-TV.
  6. Web site: 2 August 2014 . California teen severely burned attempting "fire challenge" . 3 August 2014 . CBS News . Associated Press.
  7. Web site: 2 August 2014 . Boy, 11, released from hospital after playing 'fire challenge' . 3 August 2014 . WPLG.
  8. Web site: 26 July 2014 . Fire Challenge: Do Not Try This At Home! . 8 November 2016 . WBLK.
  9. Web site: Jauregui . Andres . 30 June 2014 . What The Hell Is A 'Fire Challenge,' And How Could It Not Go Horribly Wrong? . 3 August 2014 . HuffPost.
  10. Web site: Mills . Heather . 1 August 2014 . Colorado fire officials issue warning about 'fire challenge' . 3 August 2014 . KDVR.
  11. Web site: 31 July 2014 . Fla. Kid Suffers 2nd & 3rd Degree Burns from "Fire Challenge" . 3 August 2014 . WTVJ.
  12. Web site: Collins . Jeffery . 12 August 2014 . Police: Mom helped son partake in ‘fire challenge’ . https://web.archive.org/web/20210120170948/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-police-mom-helped-son-partake-in-fire-challenge-2014aug12-story.html . 20 January 2021 . 22 August 2013 . The San Diego Union-Tribune . Associated Press.
  13. News: Dewey . Caitlin . 30 July 2014 . A comprehensive guide to YouTube's dumbest and most dangerous teen trends . 16 August 2014 . Washington Post.
  14. Web site: Stanley . Deb . Hernandez . Lance . 1 August 2014 . Colorado fire official warns parents of dangerous and deadly 'Fire Challenge' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140804231135/http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/colorado-fire-official-warns-of-parents-of-dangerous-and-deadly-fire-challenge . 4 August 2014 . 3 August 2014 . KMGH-TV.
  15. Web site: Kasper . Marty . 15 July 2014 . Officials warn of latest social media challenge . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808055326/http://www.news10.com/story/26177716/officials-warn-of-latest-social-media-challenge . 8 August 2014 . 3 August 2014 . WTEN.
  16. Web site: Knight . Matt . 31 July 2014 . Disturbing videos show teens burning themselves in 'fire challenge' . 3 August 2014 . WTKR .

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