BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The son of a firefighter was set afire by his older brother and friend as part of the “fire challenge” trend on social media.
James Adams, 8, suffered third-degree burns from his waist to his chin after the boys doused his shirt with 20 squirts of hand sanitizer and lit a fire, ABC3340 reports. His upper body is now covered with blisters and peeled skin.
James’ mom is a firefighter and said she had not heard of the fire challenge until he was burned, according to the report.
“This fire challenge is taking it to a whole new level,” mother Heather Adams said. “Not only could it hurt someone really bad, but this could be deadly.”
She created a Facebook page called “Prayers for James,” and her mission is now for parents to talk to their children about the challenge and let them know the dangers.
“If I can keep one child from going through what my kid is going through, then I made a difference,” Adams said.
She is not planning on pressing charges or punishing the boys, according to the report.