The unidentified 45-year-old had been working on a lawn mower with a friend late Tuesday afternoon.
WOODBRIDGE - A man smoking a cigarette near a can of gasoline caught fire Tuesday and suffered serious burns over a large part of his body, authorities said.
The unidentified 45-year-old had been working on a lawn mower with a friend late Tuesday afternoon and put gas into the mower, leaving the can on the ground, according to police Capt. Roy Hoppock.
"Later, they both were sitting in the back yard having a cigarette," Hoppock said, citing information the friend gave to investigators.
"The friend got up, walked off the deck saw a bright flash, turned and saw the victim on fire," Hoppock said.
The friend wrapped the victim in a tarp and rolled him on the ground, eventually extinguishing the fire, Hoppock said.
"Still unknown exactly how he caught on fire," Hoppock said.
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The man suffered serious burns over nearly half his body and was taken by helicopter to the Burn Center at St. Barnabas Hospital in Livingston. His condition was not available Wednesday morning.
The Colonia Fire Department is investigating, but investigators don't believe the incident is suspicious.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.