TikTok Trend Leads to School Fire, Teenager Faces Charges

Belleville High School Fire: Teenager Faces Charges After TikTok Challenge Incident A fire broke out at Belleville High School in New Jersey on May 11, 2025, forcing the evacuation of students and faculty. A 15-year-old student has been charged with arson and criminal mischief after authorities determined the fire was started as a result of the "Chromebook Challenge," a dangerous trend circulating on TikTok. The challenge involves inserting objects into the USB port of a school-issued Chromebook, causing a short circuit and potential fire. "This action is meant to cause Chromebooks to short circuit, produce smoke, and potentially catch fire." said a spokesperson for the Belleville Police Department. The video shows the severely damaged Chromebook, with its charred keyboard and melted casing. The Belleville Police Chief noted that while the fire wasn't intentionally malicious, the teenager involved failed to understand the potential consequences of their actions. TikTok has responded by blocking searches for "Chromebook fires" to curb the trend's popularity. The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online challenges and the importance of responsible social media use.