Oklahoma Teens Set Selves, Each Other On Fire

Wednesday, May 18th 2011, 6:13 pm

By: News 9

Jennifer Pierce, News 9

DEL CITY, Oklahoma -- Oklahoma teens are taking part in a disturbing trend… they are setting themselves and their friends on fire.

Dozens of YouTube videos document the fad. Teens are spraying their skin with highly flammable body spray, then lighting it on fire. Some use the spray to make fireballs and throw it at each other.

A source tells News 9, a Shawnee 8th grader tried the trick with disastrous results. The girl received third degree burns and has been out of school for several weeks. Teachers and school counselors are aware kids are trying this at home.

This trend is not just happening in Shawnee. A group of teens in Del City, say they have tried it before. Nat Palmer did it out of curiosity,

" What can you say, we're just kids."

"Unfortunately, most teenagers think they are bulletproof," said Dr. Herbert Meites, of the Integris Paul Silverstein Burn Center.

Dr. Meites did not treat the Shawnee middle school student, but has treated many burn patients. He says third degree burns are the most severe, require skin grafting, and can happen in seconds.

This is the first he has heard of the fire setting fad. He warns teens, what may be fun now can have life changing consequences.

"They spend a couple weeks in the hospital and are disfigured for the rest of their life. It really wasn't so much fun in retrospect," said Dr. Meites.