Rhode Island teen suffers severe second- and third-degree burns after participating in dangerous TikTok challenge

Authorities are issuing a cautionary tail.

According to multiple reports, an 18-year-old from Glocester, Rhode Island, suffered severe second- and third-degree burns on his back after participating in a dangerous TikTok “fire challenge” on the afternoon of Saturday, September 6th.

The incident occurred at the Slatersville Reservoir in nearby North Smithfield, where the teen allegedly poured gasoline on himself, ignited it, and then jumped off an old railroad trestle into the water below—a stunt popularized on social media that has led to numerous injuries and hospitalizations nationwide.

North Smithfield fire officials responded quickly to the scene, and the young man was airlifted to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment. A 16-year-old who was with him at the time escaped unharmed and was released to his parents.

Authorities have not publicly released the victim’s name, however, local reports describe him as a local high school graduate with no prior criminal history.

The challenge, which has gone viral on TikTok, encourages participants to set themselves ablaze briefly before extinguishing the flames in water, often without proper safety measures. Fire Chief David Chartier called it “extremely reckless,” warning of its life-threatening risks.