Only in America: 21 burned in walk over hot coals at Calif event

From N.Y. Post: San Jose fire officials said 21 people at an event hosted by motivational speaker Tony Robbins suffered burns while walking across hot coals, and three of the injured were treated at hospitals. The injuries took place during the first day Thursday of a four-day event at the San Jose Convention Center hosted by Robbins called "Unleash the Power Within." Most of those hurt had second and third degree burns, said San Jose Fire Department Capt. Reggie Williams.

Walking across hot coals heated to between 1,200 to 2,000 degrees provides attendees an opportunity to "understand that there is absolutely nothing you can overcome," according to the motivational speaker's website.  Robbins Research International said in a written statement that 6,000 attendees of the event walked across the coals Thursday.

Organizers had an "open burn permit" and medical staff at the event, and there was also a fire inspector on the scene, Williams said. "Once they (the medical staff) became overwhelmed, our inspector called for us," Williams added.

Witness Jonathan Correll told the San Jose Mercury News that he "heard wails of pain, screams of agony."   . Participant Sahar Madani told KTVU-TV that attendees warned that they might get burns or blisters.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/event_least_people_treated_robbins_f2jEDlDx7Zf3E7HbU93PZI