Officials issue warning to parents after teen attempting 'fire-breathing' challenge faces life-altering injuries

Parents have been warned to keep an eye on their children after a 14-year-old girl was hospitalized attempting a 'fire-breathing' social media challenge.

The teenager was rushed to hospital with 'life-altering injuries' after she drank rubbing alcohol in her apartment complex in Pitcairn, Pittsburgh, Wilmerding Fire Marshal Al Hussey said.

Also known as isopropyl alcohol, the colorless, flammable solvent is used for cleaning electronics and disinfecting surfaces and wounds.

She appeared to be emulating a social media trend in which people 'breathe fire.'

However the attempt backfired and the teen sustained severe burns across eight percent of her body, including her face, neck and chest, WTAE reports.

She is now being treated for her injuries while intubated at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the New York Post adds.

The teen was believed to have been copying a social media trend (Stock photo - Tomazl/Getty Images)

Pitcairn Fire Chief Tommy Dick said the girl is 'lucky to be alive' as the flames could've 'easily gone inside their digestive track, and she could have died.'

“We are not meant to breathe fire as human beings,” Hussey added. “First and foremost, you can lose your life. Second, you can have life-altering injuries to your appearance.

“Third, you could injure others in a building where you’re in, or a room, or the home."

“It’s not a very smart thing for anybody to do, let alone children,” Dick agreed. “It’s supposed to be for cleaning off wounds and cuts and stuff, not ingesting and trying to blow fire.”

He went on to urge young people not to copy social media challenges just because they've seen them online.

The teen is being treated in hospital (Aimintang/Getty Images)

Dick also cautioned parents to educate their children on fire safety and 'be active in their lives.'

Hussey added that parents should keep an eye on their household chemicals, explaining: "If they're doing their hair with chemicals, if they're taking isopropyl alcohol in the room, or any type of fingernail polish remover. Obviously, monitor your lighters and your matches and educate your children."

Reports of children injuring themselves or dying from apparent social media trends appear to be on the rise.

A nine-year-old boy from Illinois suffered facial burns after microwaving a Needoh Nice Cube, a popular sensory fidget toy, it was reported earlier this month.

Caleb Chabolla was taken to the emergency room to have the material removed and his injuries treated.

He suffered burns to his face, hands and ears.

Caleb said that he had been following a TikTok trend that a friend had told him about.

Parents are being urged to keep a close eye on their children (Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Images)

In the UK, a 13-year-old girl sadly died after she was believed to have inhaled 'at least one can' of deodorant in another internet trend called chroming.

Tiegan Jarman was found unresponsive in her bedroom at her home in Leicestershire.

Her father, Paul Jarman, said: "She was the most loving, daring girl ever. She was warm, she was funny, she was quirky. She had a great laugh - and she made me laugh.

"My life was twisted upside down when she died, and I have to keep strong and carry on. She used to always call me Pookie. It’s just the funny little stuff."

Her family are hoping to spread awareness of the dangers of social media and the various trends that can put young people's lives at risk.