Around 40 participants attending a Tony Robbins seminar downtown suffered minor burn injuries late Thursday after walking across hot coals in what is being described as a motivational event.

Trainers of Robbins' motivational seminar told reporters that walking on coal is a very emotional experience for people an those participants were doing something that they never thought of being possible.

Several ambulances were staged outside the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Paramedics treated dozens of people from the sold-out program for burn injuries to their feet and legs. Five people were taken to the hospital.

Conference volunteers said that it has become a regular activity to walk on hot coals at Tony Robbins seminars across the world. Jacqueline Luxemberg, who completed the fire walk said, “From my observation, there was someone in front of us and someone behind us on their cell phone, taking selfies and taking pictures,” said . “[She asked others] to video record for her, so I think that has a lot to do with it."

An estimated 7,000 people walked across the coals Thursday night.

By Prakriti Neogi