New world record set for most people on fire at the same time

A group of Cleveland, Ohio, residents set themselves on fire on Saturday, setting a new world record while raising money for charity at the same time. Twenty-one people were set on fire to break the Guinness World Record of the most people performing full-body burns.



The previous record was set in 2009 when 17 people were simultaneously set on fire. "We take a lot of heat in Cleveland as the Burning River City," said John Gadd, CEO of Hotcards, a Cleveland-based printing company that sponsored the event.



Participants wore multiple layers of special gel-soaked clothing to protect themselves from the flames in the event that took place along the banks of the Cuyahoga River in downtown Cleveland. A representative from Guinness World Records was on hand to certify the results.


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"Oh, it was amazing, like the energy of the crowd was great," Beth Hayden, one of the participants said. "It felt really, really good. It was really great to be here with new friends, old friends all on fire together." Proceeds from the event go to the Cleveland Food Bank and Brick by Brick Organization,which is run by a Cleveland minister and burner, Mark Simone.