In a terrifying incident caught on camera, 31-year-old Joe Johnstone’s face was engulfed in flames when a fire-breathing stunt went awry during a barbecue in Bridgwater, Somerset. The stunt, performed on April 7, took a dangerous turn when a sudden gust of wind blew the flame back onto Joe’s beard, igniting it instantly.
Joe, who hadn’t performed fire-breathing for two years, was inspired to entertain the children present at the gathering by showcasing his skills. The shocking footage shows Joe skillfully spinning a lit fire staff before exhaling a fiery stream of liquid fuel. However, the fire quickly reversed course, setting his beard alight and swiftly engulfing his entire face in flames.
Friends rushed to his aid as Joe fell to the ground, frantically trying to extinguish the blaze. They managed to put out the flames and immediately cooled his burns with cold water while waiting for an ambulance.
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Rushed to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, Joe underwent painful treatment involving the removal of melted, dead skin from his face—an agony he describes as the worst pain he’s ever endured. Despite the trauma, after seven days in hospital, Joe expressed determination to return to fire-breathing, referring to himself as a self-proclaimed “fire warrior.”
Reflecting on the accident, Joe said, “I had done it countless times before. It was a calm day, but a sudden gust caught me off guard. Once my face was on fire, I went into survival mode. My only thought was how to put the flames out.” He added, “The moment the doctors started removing the dead skin was the most terrifying hour of my life. My face didn’t look normal—it looked melted.”
Joe has practiced fire-breathing for eight years, inspired after witnessing performances at festivals and underground raves. Despite the severe injury, he feels fortunate to be alive and functional: “I can taste, smell, talk, and see. Surviving this is a miracle.”
Determined to raise awareness about the risks involved, Joe posted a 10-second clip of the accident on social media. He stated, “I like staring death in the face and pushing myself. I’ll be more cautious—always having a bucket, wetting my face, and checking the wind. Nothing will stop me from getting back to fire-breathing.”