Homeless man set on fire while sleeping at Ventura Beach

Ventura Beach, CA — Police were searching Sunday for three men who doused a transient man in lighter fluid and set him on fire while he was sleeping at Ventura Beach.

The incident occurred Saturday about 11 p.m. on the beach at South Seaward Avenue, according to a news release from the Ventura Police Department.

John Frazier, 58, was asleep when he awoke to three white men pouring lighter fluid over him, the release stated. The men then set him on fire.

Someone nearby saw Frazier engulfed in flames that were up to 6 feet high and used sand to put out the fire, police said.

The unidentified person then called 911.

Frazier was taken to USC Medical Center and treated for second- and third-degree burns on 40 percent of his extremities and torso, according to the release. His condition was not immediately known, but he was expected to survive.

Police described the wanted men as being in their late teens or early 20s and having shaved heads, the release said. They were wearing dark clothing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or had information about it was urged to call the Ventura Police Department at 805-339-4309.