Human Interest Real People Real People Tragedy Couple Found Dead After Being Electrocuted While Creating Art Using Dangerous Method That's Popular on TikTok Tanya Rodriguez and James Carolfi died earlier this month while attempting "fractal wood burning," police said By Jason Hahn Jason Hahn Jason Hahn is a former Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. He started at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter in 2017 and interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. He has a B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 25, 2022 04:08PM EDT Woodworking and woodburning tools, paint and brushes. Photo: Getty Wisconsin police said two people died while attempting to use a dangerous wood-burning technique that has become popular on social media. On Thursday, the Marathon County Sheriff's Office announced the findings of an investigation into the deaths of 44-year-old Tanya Rodriguez and 52-year-old James Carolfi, a couple found dead in a house fire on April 6. Marathon County officials and fire marshals and other agencies concluded that Rodriguez and Carolfi died by accidental electrocution while attempting to use an art technique called "fractal wood burning" prior to the fire. In a statement, the sheriff's office explained the method uses high-voltage electricity to burn "tree-like patterns into wood" that has been soaked in a chemical solution. "Through the investigation, it was determined that the fire started in the garage before spreading to the home," the Marathon County Sheriff's Office said. "We believe that the fractal wood-burning equipment that caused the electrocutions likely caused the structure fire." 10 Confirmed Dead, 16 More Missing After Japanese Tour Boat Sank in Frigid Waters Authorities stated their deaths have been deemed "accidental in nature" and foul play has been ruled out. An example of fractal wood burning. Getty After announcing their findings, the sheriff's office warned against the dangers of fractal wood burning, which they said gained popularity due to viral videos on social media. "The Marathon County Sheriff's Office wishes to alert citizens of the dangers of fractal woodburning, an art form that has gained popularity on social media sites such as TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube," they mentioned. RELATED VIDEO: Dad Warns Parents After Son, 12, Dies from 'Blackout Challenge': 'Check Out' Your Kids' Phones "The fractal burning process typically uses a high-voltage transformer, often repurposed from a microwave oven, to flow current across wood items that have been soaked with a chemical solution. This process is highly dangerous and should only be done by trained professionals," they added. On shopping sites like Etsy and Mercari, art made from fractal wood burning can sell for hundreds of dollars.