North East firefighters warn youngsters about deadly 'fire challenge'
It's the newest craze to sweep social media, but fire services warn that it could leave life-changing burns.
Fire services across the North East are warning youngsters about a new social media craze that could leave them scarred for life.
'The Fire Challenge' involves youths setting themselves alighr, recording how long it takes to put the flames out and uploading it to Youtube.
It started in America, where videos have appeared online showing teenagers dousing themselves in flammable liquids before lighting themselves.
Here in the UK, an 11-year-old from Lincolnshire was admitted to hospital with severe burns after appearing to take part in the challenge.
Now fire officers from across the region are urging young people NOT to get caught up in the craze.
Dave Turton is from Cleveland Fire and Rescue Service, he said: "The burns that you suffer will not heal.
"The burns will be with you for life.
"It'll involve painful skin grafts for years and years to come .
"It'll involve scarring for years and years to come and that's if you're lucky and don't set fire to yourself to the point that you kill yourself."