Dozens of people including children watched on in horror as a fire dancer set himself alight before he was saved by fearless tourists.
He suffered severe burns to his mouth and face after his performance went badly wrong in front of terrified onlookers.
The panicked man only identified as Grigory, 35, is seen in the video with his act on the embankment in Feodosia, a resort in Crimea.
As the Russian tried to blow a column of the flame, his mouth suddenly caught fire as his kerosene dramatically ignited.
He was seen putting his hand to his mouth in pain as those watching quickly noticed something was wrong.
The performer fell to the ground in a fireball.
Hero spectators rushed to help the stricken performer, smothering the flames with items of clothing and their bare hands. Paramedics were quickly on the scene.
The Health Ministry in Crimea, annexed from Ukraine by Russia in 2014, said the performer was in a “serious but stable” condition.
"The victim was hospitalised at Simferopol Clinical Emergency Hospital No. 6," said a statement.
He suffered burns mainly to his mouth and face.
Mash news outlet reported that the problem may have been caused by poor quality kerosene used in his fire dance act. Police are investigating the incident.
It is not the only stunt involving fire that has gone badly wrong in the past few weeks.
Last month, a firewalk in Switzerland left 25 people needing treatment.
Emergency services were called to the event near Lake Zurich.
People had been attempting to walk over burning hot coals, but it was too hot - and according to local police, 13 of the people treated needed to be taken to hospital.
It’s unclear whether the incident in Switzerland was part of a religious ceremony or a social occasion.
A firewalk is sometimes used by companies as part of team-building exercises.
Last year, a Pro Wrestling star was engulfed in flames and left screaming in total agony following a fire stunt gone wrong.
The unknown man was set ablaze at the Southern Sickness Cup in Indiana after allowing his opponent to douse his groin area with lighter fluid.
Flames quickly covered the wrestler’s crotch, but things took a turn for the worse when his entire lower half was engulfed after he was prodded with a weed wacker.
The wrestler tried to pull off his trousers but he couldn't - sparking more panic.
A fan attempted to douse him in water but missed as he ran in a bid to stop the fire.
