By Christine Dempsey
Journal Inquirer
PLAINVILLE, Conn. 鈥� Students in Connecticut mimicking trending TikTok videos continue to set their laptops on fire in class, with one of the most recent cases happening Thursday at the Middle School of Plainville, police said.
Police and fire personnel were called to the Northwest Drive school around 10:15 a.m. The laptop activated the fire alarm and officials evacuated the school, the Plainville Police Department said in a Facebook post.
鈥淭hrough an investigation, it was determined that a middle school student intentionally stuck scissors into a laptop causing smoke to emit from it,鈥� police said.
The student complained of smoke inhalation and was taken to the hospital for treatment, they said, and there were no other reported injuries. The school was back in session in less than an hour.
鈥淎lthough the investigation is ongoing, the student involved will be referred to juvenile court to face criminal charges,鈥� police said.
Another incident occurred just the day before at Southington High School. An alert staff member threw the smoking laptop out a second-floor window, while someone else pulled the fire alarm, Assistant Fire Chief Scott Lee said Thursday. No one was injured in the incident.
Similar incidents also have been reported in Cromwell, Derby and Newington, prompting warnings from state fire officials. Newington firefighters responded to Newington High School鈥檚 laptop fire on May 1; the others were on Monday.
鈥淚t is vitally important that youth and adults take fire risks seriously and recognize the danger inherent to these types of social media 鈥榗hallenges,鈥欌�� State Fire Marshal Lauri Volkert said in a written statement. 鈥淔ire can become uncontrolled and turn deadly in just a few seconds.鈥�
State Fire Administrator Jeff Morrissette added, 鈥淪ocial media trends, many that include risky behavior, are sadly on the increase. Students and parents must be aware of this latest trend involving laptops and other personal electronic devices that have the potential to cause serious injury, death, and/or property damage.鈥�
The fires are started by poking a paper clip, push pin, graphite pencil or even a gum wrapper into a laptop鈥檚 USB or other charge ports.
In addition to producing toxic smoke and flames, the 鈥渃hallenge鈥� can trigger an explosion, Guilford fire officials said in a Facebook post Thursday.
鈥淲hile it may appear to some as a harmless online trend, this challenge is no joke. It鈥檚 a real fire hazard, and intentionally damaging electronics in this way can lead to criminal charges, serious injuries, and long-term consequences,鈥� they said.
Like school superintendents around the state, fire officials are urging parents to talk to their children about the challenges.
鈥淢onitor their online activity,鈥� Guilford firefighters said, 鈥渁nd help them recognize that online 鈥榗lout鈥� is never worth risking lives.鈥�
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