SAN FRANCISCO - Fire officials say 21 people at an event hosted by motivational speaker Tony Robbins suffered burns while walking across hot coals and three were treated at hospitals.
The injuries took place during the first day of a four-day event at the San Jose Convention Center hosted by Robbins called Unleash the Power Within. Most had second and third degree burns, said San Jose Fire Department Captain Reggie Williams.
Walking across hot coals on lanes measuring three metres long and heated to between 1200 to 2000 degrees provides attendees an opportunity to "understand that there is absolutely nothing you can't overcome," according to the motivational speaker's website.
Robbins Research International said in a written statement that 6000 attendees of the event walked across the coals on Thursday.
Organisers 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 said.