Performer Catches Fire in Stunt Gone Wrong at High School Pep Rally
Dramatic video shows the performer engulfed in flames.
— -- A Delray Beach, Florida, high school halted a pep rally this morning after a performer caught fire during a stunt.
A fire breather from Inferno’s Challenge was set aflame when another performer attempted to leap over him during the finale of a demonstration at Atlantic Community High School.
In a video of the incident posted to social media, the fire breather, who has not been identified, can be seen lying on the floor of the gymnasium as others frantically try to pat out the flames.
The performers had been hired to get students excited for the Florida Standard Assessment Testing, Palm Beach County School District Communications Specialist Julie Houston Trieste told ABC News. Two thousand people were in the school's gymnasium when the incident occurred.
According to the company’s website, Inferno’s Challenge is "a mobile obstacle course for kids & adults from 5 to 55 give or take, designed by Ricky Charles a.k.a. (Inferno), former circus/stunt man and game & event coordinator for the Miami Heat."
But today’s event was anything but routine. Delray Beach Fire and Rescue Public Information Officer Kevin Saxton told ABC News, "12 students were treated for respiratory issues on scene, while seven other students were transported to a local hospital" to be treated for smoke inhalation. They are expected to recover.
Following the incident, the fire-breathing performer was transported to Delray Medical Center with burns and is in good condition, according to Ryan Lieber, a spokesperson for the hospital.
Inferno’s Challenge did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment.
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