 Ali 's longstanding finale was the swallowing of copious amounts of water again , but this time followed by a pint of kerosene . A prop was then produced , typically a model castle or house made of metal set on a table , within which a small flame burned . <unk> than water and <unk> with it , the kerosene floated above the liquid in Ali 's gut , allowing him to <unk> it first . The stage thus set , and to a drum roll or an imitation of fire bells , Ali became a " human flamethrower " , <unk> the <unk> in a long stream over the sacrificial prop , setting it <unk> . Once the kerosene was exhausted , the water followed , streaming out his mouth in a long flow from up to six feet away , <unk> the fire . 
