Magician burned in bizarre TV stunt

An American magician is recuperating after a television host set his head on fire with a flammable liquid.

It is unclear why the host doused magician Wayne Houchin's head with the liquid or what ignited it.

Houchin, of California, said on Sunday he was receiving treatment for burns from the November 26 incident.

A statement on his Facebook page says he is “resting, healing & working through the legal process” in the Caribbean nation, where he had been performing with a group of magicians.

The incident was not broadcast on Dominican television but a video of it has appeared on the internet.

Houchin said the incident was completely unexpected and he saw it as a criminal attack.

A video of the incident shows Closer To The Stars TV program guest host Franklin Barazarte abruptly dousing the magician's head with Agua de Florida, a flammable cologne often used in Santeria rituals.

The magician's head bursts into flames as Barazarte runs his hands over Houchin's hair.