Overview
- The 14-year-old suffered burns to the face, neck and chest, reported at about 8% of body surface, and is being treated at UPMC Mercy's burn unit with a breathing tube.
- The incident occurred Friday night inside a Pitcairn multi-unit apartment building, where responders found no active fire and the structure did not burn.
- Authorities say the teen tried to use isopropyl alcohol to "breathe fire" in a trend attributed to TikTok.
- Wilmerding Fire Marshal Al Hussey and Pitcairn Fire Chief Tommy Dick cautioned that ingesting or igniting rubbing alcohol can be deadly and urged oversight of items like alcohols, nail polish removers and aerosols.
- Pitcairn police had not responded to inquiries about a possible investigation or charges, as outlets also noted recent injuries to children linked to social media challenges.