At least 30 Tony Robbins fans hurt walking over hot coals

Motivational speaker Tony Robbins arrived in Dallas on Thursday to help thousands of his followers “Unleash the Power Within.”

What were unleashed were ambulances.

At least 30 people were treated for burns to their feet and lower extremities after walking on hot coals outside Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Thursday night, according to Dallas Fire and Rescue officials. Five were hospitalized.

An estimated 7,000 people walked across the coals as part of a ritual that has become typical at Robbins’ events. It is supposed to help them overcome their fears, according to Robbins. But some conference attendees reportedly got distracted, according to a WFAA report, and some people were “taking selfies” while walking across the hot coals.

Robbins, who will continue unleashing his power through Sunday in downtown Dallas, released a statement through his company, Robbins Research International:

“In Dallas tonight, someone not familiar with the fire walk observed the event and called 911 erroneously reporting hundreds of people requiring medical attention for severe burns. While we are grateful to the quick and robust response from Dallas emergency services, only 5 of 7,000 participants requested any examination beyond what was readily available on site. We are pleased to have completed another successful fire walk for 7,000 guests and look forward to the remainder of an outstanding weekend with them.”

Representatives for Robbins didn’t immediately return messages left by The Associated Press on Friday.

Tad Schinke, an event trainer, told WFAA-TV: “We always have a few people that have some discomfort afterwards and we do our best to take care of them.”

Such fire walks are not uncommon at Robbins’ seminars: More than 20 people were treated for foot burns after a similar event in 2012 in San Jose, California.

One participant, Jacqueline Luxemberg, told WFAA that some people were not concentrating on walking across the coals because they were taking selfies and asking others to take video of them.

Fire officials used a city bus to hold many of the injured people; others were carried to ambulances or back inside the convention center to be evaluated.

The Associated Press contributed.

This story was originally published June 24, 2016 at 11:26 AM with the headline "At least 30 Tony Robbins fans hurt walking over hot coals."