Man Catches On Fire At High School Pep Rally

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DELRAY BEACH (CBSMiami) – A fire breather demonstration was supposed to be an uplifting pep rally at Atlantic Community High School in Delray Beach.

But during the show in the gymnasium, before thousands of students Thursday, something went horribly wrong in the middle of the act.

The performer caught fire and began running desperately – throwing off his jacket while other performers tried to put out the flames.

"I thought it was part of the act until I saw it was real.  People started running. It was crazy," said student Lucas Martins.

A couple of teachers grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed it on the burning man.

Several students posted video of the fire on the Twitter and snap chat accounts.

DUDE JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE AT OUR PEP RALLY!!! ADD ME ON SNAPCHAT KINGSOSA300 pic.twitter.com/trKYFfv7pV

— Anthony (@SolJah13) March 17, 2016

The fumes caused cheerleader Justice McGee to suffer an asthma attack.

She and six other students were taken to the hospital, complaining of breathing problems

"She was in distress and crying, shaken up a bit," her mother said

The fire breather Ricardo Charles, who owns the company called Infernos Challenge, suffered extensive burns and was rushed to Delray Medical Center.

"He has burns on the neck up and on his nose and face," fellow performer Duane Kidd said.

Kidd has been with Charles in the hospital. He said Charles never lost consciousness.

Charles shared a photo with CBS4 News showing him with oxygen tubes on. His nose, cheeks and forehead were severely burned. He said he plans to hold a press conference outside of the hospital on Friday.

The school district said classes resumed as normal after the commotion, but some parents are questioning the wisdom of bringing in a fire breathing act to a gym full of thousands of students.

"Right now I'm glad the kids are okay, but I don't think it was a wise decision," said parent Lakendra Giddings.

The pep rally was to celebrate the beginning of Spring Break which is Friday.