Boy, 9, suffers burns to more than 70 per cent of his body after a viral 'fire challenge'

New Orleans Fire Department Chief Roman Nelson said the boy is in 'unbearable pain and lucky to be alive'. The craze sees children soak themselves in household accelerants such as isopropyl alcohol or acetone and then set themselves alight. Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick joined Nelson in a video urging parents to talk to their children. 'It is not fun, and it is not funny,' she warned.

Kirkpatrick told children: 'Don't fall for this gimmick. Your life is not worth it.'

A Pennsylvania teen was intubated after attempting a 'fire-breathing' challenge in March.