Русско-англо-русский юридический словарь

Ordeal by fire was one form of torture. The ordeal of fire typically required that the accused walk a certain distance, usually 9 feet (2.7 metres) or a certain number of paces, usually three, over red-hot plowshares or holding a red-hot iron. (Wikipedia)

Fire ordeal is an ordeal in which an accused person is forced to hold a piece of hot metal or to walk barefoot across a hot surface. (USLegal)

India principal 'puts students through trial by fire'. Police in India have lodged a complaint against a school principal after she allegedly forced 13 pupils to hold their hands over a candle flame. (BBC News)