A woman in the United States set fire to her roommate reportedly after he threw away her spaghetti and meatballs.

Melissa Dawn Sellers, 33, doused her 42-year-old roommate Carlos Ortiz Jr. with nail varnish remover before igniting it with a lighter or cigarette, Florida police reported.

Witness Ines Causevic claimed Sellers was angry with Mr Ortiz after he threw out her pasta and meatballs.

“She was setting little objects on fire, then that turned into pouring nail polish remover all over him, and then all of a sudden, the lighter sparked and he lit on fire,” she said to Bay 9 News.

Mrs Causevic described how Sellers attempted to put the fire out by throwing water on Mr Ortiz and tearing off his shirt.

“When he got up, his face was melting off, it was pink and sore,” she claimed. “His lips were burning.”

Police believe the pair had been drinking when the altercation occurred at a flat in Clearwater, Florida.

Mr Ortiz was taken to the local hospital, Tampa General, but he is listed in a critical condition with burns to his face, chest and shoulders.

Sellers has been charged with aggravated battery. She has had prior arrests for battery and robbery.

It is believed she moved in with Mr Ortiz after losing her job at the local WalMart and being evicted from her previous home.