Fire Services Warn Over TikTok ‘Explosion’ Prank Causing False Alarms
West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue (SFRS) have issued a stark warning about a TikTok prank trend that’s wasting emergency services’ time. Fake ‘explosion’ videos are going viral, sparking panic calls to 999 and sending fire crews racing to false incidents.
Prank Videos Spark Real-Life Scares
The disturbing clips simulate explosions in homes, tricking loved ones into thinking family members are trapped or injured. Hundreds of thousands have watched these hoax clips, which have led to multiple emergency call-outs.
On 30 November 2022, in Tipton, West Midlands, a man called 999 after receiving a prank video of an oven ‘exploding’ at his partner’s house. Afraid his partner and their two-year-old son were in danger, he urgently alerted fire crews, who responded with blue lights—only to find no fire.
The woman who sent the prank, speaking anonymously, admitted: “On TikTok the videos seemed like harmless fun, so I decided to make one myself and sent it to my partner. Unfortunately, he genuinely believed it and phoned the fire service.
“Having to explain to the firefighters who turned up that it was meant to be a joke was awful. I felt so guilty, and scared there could have been a real emergency somewhere else. I’ve learned my lesson and will never do it again.”
Another False Alarm in Stoke-on-Trent
Just days later, on 4 December, fire crews raced to a home in Stoke-on-Trent after a mother received a similar prank video. Believing her three children were caught up in an explosion, she called emergency services—only for crews again to find no danger.
Group Manager Kelly Whitmore of Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control said:
“These short clips show a person using an appliance or plug socket, then a filter creates a fake explosion sound and screen blackout. Whilst intended as jokes, these videos cause genuine fear and distress. Fire crews are dispatched unnecessarily, tying up valuable resources that could be used for real emergencies.”
Fire Services Urge Public: Stop Sharing These Dangerous Pranks
WMFS and SFRS are pleading with social media users to stop making, sharing, and encouraging ‘explosion prank’ videos on TikTok and other apps. They warn that these hoaxes waste emergency responders’ time and could put lives at risk.
If you spot such content online, please report it immediately so platforms can remove it. Emergency services stress that while the calls are genuine, the incidents are fake – and these pranks could have serious consequences.
