SANTA ANA – A 16-year-old boy suffered serious burns Friday after apparently setting himself on fire in what authorities believe was an attempt at completing the “fire challenge,” a dangerous dare spread by social media.

Fire crews responded to the 900 block of South Standard Avenue in Santa Ana about 2:20 p.m. after the teen apparently placed nail polish remover on his chest and lit it on fire, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Larry Kurtz said.

The boy was taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana with first- and second-degree burns on his face, neck and hips, Kurtz said. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Investigators believe the teen was attempting the “fire challenge,” a recent dare game authorities say is spread via YouTube and other social media in which participants film themselves placing flammable liquids on their body, ignite them and attempt to put the resulting flames out before injuring themselves.

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.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7939 or semery@ocregister.com