Santa Ana teen sets self ablaze in ‘fire challenge’

A Santa Ana teenager was recovering Saturday after lighting himself on fire as part of an internet trend, known as the “fire challenge.”

Firefighters were called to the 900 block of South Standard Avenue at about 2:20 p.m. Friday when Fernando Valencia, 16, poured nail polish remover on his chest and set it on fire.

Capt. Larry Kurtz said Friday’s incident is the first time the fire authority has encountered someone attempting the fire challenge in Orange County. However, various media outlets have recently reported similar incidents in other parts of the country, and videos posted online purport to show individuals attempting the ill-advised challenges.

“This was a first for us,” Kurtz said. “Your setting your skin on fire for nothing else than someone dares you.”

Since nail polish remover is an “alcohol-based fuel,” it burns at a high temperature.

“It’s sort of the equivalent of putting gasoline on yourself,” Kurtz said.

Agencies/Canadajournal