An 11-year-old boy nearly died while performing a fire-fighting stunt in Chennai's Neelankarai area on Saturday, June 22. At an event celebrating actor and politician Vijay's birthday, the boy attempted a dangerous stunt in which he set his hands on fire and broke tiles. After the boy panicked when he was unable to put out the fire, the fire quickly spread across the stage, injuring the boy and causing a stampede for the exits.
Sergeant Balu of Neelankarai J8 police station told TNM that the boy sustained three to five per cent burns on his right hand, but added that no action would be taken by the event organisers as per the request of the boy's family.
Although these martial arts techniques are common practice, they are usually performed in a controlled, safe environment with a professional present.
In the video, the boy can be seen holding his fist on the tile as a man standing next to him flicks a lighter under his fist, which police told TNM had been pre-smeared with fuel.
In the video, after breaking the tile, the boy is seen blowing on his fist, which causes the flames to burn even more. The boy panics and runs away in fear. The man with the lighter is also seen in the video holding an open plastic bottle, which police confirm to be gasoline. As the man carelessly steps forward to help, the fuel in the bottle also catches fire and spills out, nearly onto the boy.
From the chaos that quickly ensued, it appears the organisers did not take the necessary precautions before allowing the child to perform such a stunt. A petrol fire cannot be put out with water so it would be ideal to have a suitable foam extinguisher, sand and blankets on hand, all of which would cut off the supply of oxygen to the flames. Footage shows several adults gathered around the screaming boy, while one man struggles with a small extinguisher.
According to police, the incident took place at Suganya Wedding Hall in Neelankarai, Chennai. The event also took place despite the actor having asked his fans and Tamila Vetri Kazhgam (TVK) officials not to celebrate his 50th birthday as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the horrific Kalakurichi moonshine tragedy. It is unclear why such an event was held despite the actor's public request to avoid celebrations. As of now, neither Vijay nor TVK have issued any official statement regarding the fire incident.
Earlier, on June 20, Vijay visited the homes of the families of the victims of the Kallakurichi tragedy, who are still hospitalised, and offered his condolences.
