A TikTok stunt turned into a nightmare on Third Street Friday night, leaving a 14-year-old Pittsburgh-area girl hospitalized with severe burns after she tried a so-called "fire-breathing" trick in a Pitcairn apartment building, according to local fire officials.
The incident unfolded in a nine-unit building on Third Street in Pitcairn, where officials say the teen attempted to "breathe fire" using isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. The flames burned her face, neck, and chest, and EMS crews rushed her to a regional burn center for specialized treatment. As of Sunday, she remained intubated.
Pitcairn Fire Chief Tommy Dick did not mince words about the viral challenge, calling it "not a very smart thing for anybody to do." Wilmerding Fire Marshal Al Hussey said the girl had tried to breathe fire with isopropyl alcohol, according to CBS Pittsburgh. The station reported that EMS crews transported her to UPMC Mercy's burn center for care and that the burns were serious.
When firefighters arrived, there was no active fire in the apartment, Chief Dick told CBS Pittsburgh. The flames had not spread beyond the initial incident, and he said the girl was "lucky to be alive." The report added that Hussey noted she was still intubated on Sunday as she continued to receive treatment. KDKA also reached out to the Pitcairn police to ask whether investigators planned to pursue any charges, but had not received a response at the time of the story.
Where She Was Treated
The teen was taken to UPMC Mercy's Burn Center, the region's ABA-verified burn program that treats both severe and pediatric burns, according to UPMC Mercy. The center provides acute burn care, reconstructive surgery, and long-term rehabilitation. It also runs outreach programs such as Learn Not to Burn and Camp Susquehanna for young burn survivors, and staff connect families with peer-support resources as recovery continues.
How Dangerous Is Rubbing Alcohol?
Isopropyl alcohol is classified as a flammable liquid with a flash point near 53°F and can ignite at ordinary temperatures when it meets an ignition source, according to federal chemical data from OSHA. Safety experts warn that common household products such as rubbing alcohol, nail-polish remover, and aerosol sprays can pose the same kind of fire risk if they are misused near open flames or while people are recording stunts for social media.
First Aid And Resources
For major burns, medical experts advise calling 911 right away. For smaller burns, they recommend running cool (not cold) water over the area for about 10 minutes, then covering it loosely with clean gauze and avoiding ice or home remedies, according to the Mayo Clinic. Local burn centers also provide education and support for families dealing with severe injuries. First responders say prevention, keeping flammable products out of reach, and talking with teens about the risks behind viral “challenges” remains the best protection.
