State fire marshal: Don’t set yourself on fire, kids
Staff writer
Social media’s latest viral fad is literally just teens setting themselves on fire.
State Fire Marshal Doug Jorgensen sent out a release Thursday urging Kansans not to take part in the “fire challenge.”
The “challenge” consists of dousing oneself in gasoline or another fire accelerant, and then igniting the accelerant with a match or lighter.
The release cited teens as the main target of the challenge. Its purpose is “to challenge the bravery of others and encourage participation.” The fire challenge is not associated with any charitable cause.
“We do not want to have to respond to a fire or emergency medical call that can be prevented,” Jorgensen said. “Kids need to understand how dangerous this is, and that this is one challenge no one needs to take.”
The extent of the relation between the “fire challenge” and the ALS ice-bucket challenge is unclear. A 15-year-old boy in Buffalo, New York, recently died after incurring burn injuries while participating in the fire challenge.