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Model suffers first degree burns on horror photoshoot gone wrong

Freelance model Robyn-Lee Jansen was left with first and second-degree burns after the failed photoshoot. Photo: Instagram
Model Robyn-Lee Jansen was left with first and second-degree burns after the failed photoshoot. Photo: Instagram/robynlee.97

A Canadian model was left severely burnt first after a fire-themed photoshoot went tragically wrong.

Earlier in June, Instagram personality and model Robyn-Lee Jansen, responded to an advertisement for a freelance modelling job via online site Model Mayhem that involved the use of fire.

The Canadian freelancer took to Instagram to share the details of the harrowing incident that saw staged fire catch her skin, leaving her horribly burnt.

Responding to an ad from a positively-reviewed photographer, Jansen picked up a gig in an abandoned warehouse, which involved the use of fire on the 13th of June.

The professional assumed the set-up would be safe and straightforward, like previous jobs she had done.

She was wrong.

“To say I was misinformed is an understatement,” she told Yahoo.

She explained that when she arrived the photographer didn’t provide her with legal waivers, saying he’d ‘run out’.

Though he warned her of the dangers of an abandoned warehouse, she said he never mentioned any fire hazard, or associated risks.

“So if I cut or hurt myself on debris or glass and need a tetanus shot, that would be my fault,” she said. “Not once were any risks or dangers about the fire shoot mentioned.”

‘The next thing I knew, I was up in flames’

The 22-year-old explained that when it came to handling the fire, it all went horribly wrong.

“He proceeded to work with fire behind me, and then yelled: ‘stand still, this part gets tricky!’”Jansen explains on her GoFundMe page.

“Before I could even ask what he wanted to try, or any sort of explanation, he squirted a bottle of liquid paraffin oil while standing closer to me.”

“The next thing I knew, I was up in flames.”

Described as one of the “most traumatic and terrifying moments” of her life, Jansen managed to roll into a puddle to put out the flames herself, but says she received little help from the photographer.

As a result of the incident, the student suffered second degree burns across 25 percent of her legs, with first degree burns on her anterior legs, hip, back and right arm.

She said she has since been unable to walk and has had to cancel all forthcoming paid jobs for the next two to three months.

Jensen hopes to use the GoFund Me page to make up for her lost income, and warn fellow models.

“Please more than anything take my story and let it raise awareness of the dangers of accepting risky shoots,” she wrote.

“The photographer assured me it was safe, and had been vetted by other models.”

“Don’t trust other people’s words when going into a risky shoot. Demand that there be safety procedures in place. And if the photographer can’t guarantee or provide them. Then just don’t do it. It’s not worth your time and safety.”

Jansen is also planning to take legal action against the photographer for ‘negligence and recklessness’.

The model will be sharing updates of her recovery over on her GoFundMe page.

Words by Danielle Fowler.

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