Parents warned Facebook 'fire challenge craze' is reckless and life threatening

Footage of a young boy attempting the 'Fire Challenge' has since been removed by YouTube. Photo / Youtube via Daily Mail

The parents of two UK boys who set themselves on fire as part of an online craze have pleaded for videos promoting the dangerous stunt to be taken off the internet.

Tyler O'Connor, nine, and his 11-year-old brother Shaun escaped serious injury after trying to take part in the 'Fire Challenge', in which flammable liquid is poured over the body and lit.

The person then has to dive into a bath or pool before the flames take hold.

Footage of youngsters taking part has spread across the internet, with the videos being shared widely across Facebook and YouTube.

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The boys' parents Donna O'Connor and Anthony Mummery, from Churchdown, Gloucestershire, have now warned others about the risk after their children attempted the stunt twice during one weekend in November.

Mr Mummery, 32, said: "I felt sick and worried when I heard what they'd done. It could easily have been a phone call saying my sons are in hospital or they've died. They have been punished more than I have ever punished them before. It's shocking that kids are able to watch videos like that."

When contacted by The Mail on Sunday, Facebook took down two of the videos. However, last night many more were still accessible on YouTube.

Warning: explicit language

Last year, a 15-year-old American boy was reportedly burned to death after his entire body was engulfed in flames.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: "This is a stupid and dangerous craze. You're almost certain to seriously injure yourself, and fire can easily spread to furniture and other flammable household items which is a risk to others."

- Daily Mail UK