MADISON, Wis. -- A man is listed in critical condition after trying to kill his head lice Saturday night, police said.

The 26-year-old doused a towel with rubbing alcohol, put it on his head and then lit a cigarette, police said. The towel caught fire and engulfed the man. He suffered burns on about 50 percent of his body, police said.

He was renting a room with a friend at King's Inn Motel on the West Beltline, police said.

He is in the burn unit with second- and third-degree burns.