Colin Decker, a renowned stuntman and co-founder of Fire 4 Hire, recalls the infamous tanning bed scene from Final Destination 3, a gruesome spectacle that became iconic in the horror franchise. While its brutality is in line with the series’ signature style, Decker remembers it for a different reason—it was the first major film to feature Fire 4 Hire’s groundbreaking naked burn gel.
Developed by Decker and co-founder Dustin Brooks, the Fireskin360 Naked Burn Gel revolutionized fire stunts in cinema by allowing actors to appear engulfed in flames without visible protective gear. Now, 20 years later, the innovation is receiving the highest industry recognition.
Decker and Brooks have been awarded an Academy Award for Scientific and Technical Achievement and will receive their Oscar statuettes at the Scientific and Technical Awards ceremony in April.
“I’m so stoked,” Decker said. “For around 20 years now, we’ve definitely changed the way fire stunts get done, and we built one heck of a reputation as being the professionals for fire stunts in this industry … I’m just happy to be recognized and so happy to get to do what I do.”
The Fireskin360 Naked Burn Gel is applied beneath an accelerant that is then ignited, creating the illusion of flames consuming bare skin. The formula underwent extensive testing, involving trial and error with accelerants and emergency douses in water to perfect its fire-retardant properties.
Decker, whose stunt work includes roles as a motorcyclist, gymnastics coach, and wrestling bartender, has faced fire countless times, suffering burns but never requiring hospitalization. The gel’s success is evident—over the past two decades, it has enabled safe fire stunts in 76 TV shows and 52 films.
Beyond Hollywood, it made headlines during the 2007 Taurus World Stunt Awards Fire Fashion Show and earned Decker and Brooks a Guinness World Record in 2010 for the longest full-body burn, lasting three minutes and 27 seconds.
With a Guinness record and numerous cinematic achievements behind them, Decker hints at even more daring projects ahead. While remaining tight-lipped on specifics, he assures audiences that his fire stunts will continue pushing boundaries.
“Last year, it was close to around one hundred people I set on fire,” the award-winning stuntman noted.
Source: Swifteradio.com
