Viral social media trend hospitalizes Teen. Trend is called 'Fire Breathing"

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A Pennsylvania teenager is hospitalized with serious burns after allegedly attempting a dangerous “fire-breathing” stunt inspired by social media.

Officials say the incident happened Friday night in Pitcairn, located in Allegheny County. The teen was reportedly experimenting with isopropyl alcohol at a nine-unit apartment building when she was injured.

According to CBS News, Pitcairn Fire Chief Tommy Dick said the situation could have been far worse. “It’s not a very smart thing for anybody to do, let alone children,” Dick said. “It’s supposed to be for cleaning off wounds and cuts and stuff, not ingesting and trying to blow fire.”

Authorities say the teen is now intubated and being treated for burns to her face and chest. Fire officials described her injuries as severe and potentially life-altering.

“Luckily, in this particular case, it did not burn the building down,” Wilmerding Borough Fire Marshal Al Hussey said according to ABC 6. “But somebody really got hurt, and is going to have life-altering injuries.”

Officials are now using the incident as a warning to families about the dangers of online trends involving flammable household products.

“If they're doing their hair with chemicals, if they're taking isopropyl alcohol in the room, or any type of fingernail polish remover — obviously, monitor your lighters and your matches and educate your children,” Hussey said.

In recent weeks, several incidents across the country have involved children being injured while attempting stunts allegedly seen online. In Illinois, a 9-year-old reportedly suffered third-degree burns after placing a toy in a microwave, while a 7-year-old attempting a similar challenge ended up in a coma.

Fire officials say many of these trends involve easily accessible household items that can quickly turn dangerous when paired with open flames.

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