Kerosene is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. It is usually called paraffin (sometimes paraffin oil) in the UK, South East Asia and South Africa. Kerosene is often used in the entertainment industry for fire performances such as poi, fire breathing, and fire dancing, because of its low flame temperature when burnt in free air, reducing the risk, should the performer come in contact with the flame. Kerosene is not usually used as a fuel for indoor fire-dancing as it produces an unpleasant odour which becomes poisonous in sufficient concentration. Methanol is often used instead, but it also produces less impressive flames, and it can be a more dangerous fuel because of its lower flash point.
