State fire marshal calls for monitoring of social media following ‘fire challenge’ in North Smithfield

WARWICK – The Office of the State Fire Marshal is now warning parents, caregivers, schools, and children about a dangerous social media “challenge” in which people set themselves on fire and then jump into water. 

The warning follows an incident in which an 18-year-old suffered second and third degree burns after dousing himself in gasoline, lighting himself on fire and jumping into the Slatersville Reservoir.

News of the incident was published by media outlets both locally and nationally after NRI NOW confirmed rumors of the incident with Fire Chief David Chartier and broke the story last week. North Smithfield Fire & Rescue Service transported the Glocester teen to Rhode Island Hospital on Saturday, Sept. 6, releasing a second boy involved, a 16-year-old, to his parents.

“Fire is not a joke and should only be handled by professionals,” said Rhode Island Fire Marshal Timothy McLaughlin. “This type of social media content is dangerous, reckless and puts lives in danger.”  

The Office of the State Fire Marshal offered the following tips for those concerned about the incident:

• Remove or report dangerous content found on social media
• Monitor and/or restrict social media access
• Never recreate social media stunts or “challenges”
• If you or someone you know has been injured, call 911 immediately

For resources about fire prevention, contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal or the local fire department.