Injured 'fire breather' placed in induced coma after Burleigh Heads accident

A 20-year-old man who was taken to hospital suffering internal burns after attempting to breathe fire on the Gold Coast last night has been placed in an induced coma.

Authorities believe the man accidentally inhaled kerosene, rather than spitting it out, during a fire-breathing attempt at Burleigh Heads.

The accident occurred about 7.50pm at a beachside park where fire twirlers and breathers often perform and train alongside drummers.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to hospital for burns to his airways.

It is unclear whether man was an apprentice or professional fire-breather, or whether he was inexperienced.

One witness, local man Stuart Winters, claims the injured man was a drunken bystander who had interfered with the fire twirling session.

Mr Winters had been at the park for about two hours before the accident occurred.

“He was not a fire breather, he took the instruments off a fire breather who was performing (and) training, and tried to show off,” Mr Winters told 9NEWS.

“He was jumping over tables and causing a general nuisance.”

The man is expected to undergo further treatment.