07-05-2025
New TikTok challenge puts classmates in danger, fire officials say
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — A new challenge primarily appearing on TikTok has Connecticut fire officials issuing a warning this week.
'It is vitally important that youth and adults take fire risks seriously and recognize the danger inherent to these types of social media 'challenges,'' Volkert said. 'Fire can become uncontrolled and turn deadly in just a few seconds.'
Laptop fire prompts student evacuation at Newington High School
The challenge encourages students to short circuit their personal or school-issued electronic devices by putting pencil lead or other conductive objects like paperclips into the USB or charge ports.
As a result, sparks and a significant amounts of smoke can be generated, which could result in a fire that could spread to nearby items.
It could also lead the internal battery to experience thermal runaway and ignition, Connecticut State Fire Marshal Lauri Volkert and State Fire Administrator Jeff Morrissette said in their Tuesday warning.
17 students, staff displaced following fire at Cheshire Academy
Chuck Stanyke- a member of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and school security director in Ansonia- said students following challenges on social media are usually unaware of how dangerous they are.
'The resulting thermal runaway can cause toxic gases to issue from the device. By intentionally causing these types of emergencies, youth are putting their peers and teachers at risk as well as tying up emergency response agencies and possibly delaying their response elsewhere,' Stanyke said.
In the last week, there have been several incidents in Connecticut schools, including a laptop fire that evacuated Newington High School.
No injuries were reported and the fire was kept to the area of origin, with damage only sustained to the computer and the desk it was on, fire officials said.
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