Smoking Man Burns More Than Half of Body

Chicago - A man who was smoking set himself on fire and suffered burns to more than 50% of his body early Wednesday at a house on the Far South Side.

Firefighters responded to a working fire at 4:50 a.m. at 10123 S. Bensley Ave., according to Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford.

Crews arrived at 4:54 a.m. and found the 36-year-old man had burns to more than 50% of his body. He was transported by fire department ambulance No. 9 in critical condition to University of Chicago Hospitals, according to Langford.

The victim was smoking at the single-family home when the incident occurred, according to a South Chicago District police sergeant. The sergeant said the victim may have intentionally set the fire.