• Four of the suspects are 15 years old; one is 13 • Alleged attackers charged as adults

Five teenagers are being held by Florida police, accused of setting a 15-year-old boy on fire in retaliation for informing officers of an attempted bicycle theft.

Michael Brewer was sedated in a Miami hospital, recovering from second- and third-degree burns over 80% of his body. Officials say that on Monday the attackers doused him with rubbing alcohol and ignited it with a cigarette lighter. The teens are charged with aggravated battery, and the 15-year-old boy who set the fire is charged with attempted murder.

Four of the suspects are 15 years old; one is 13.

Dr Nicholas Namias of Jackson Memorial Ryder Trauma Centre told the Associated Press that Brewer's face is not badly burnt but that he is at risk of infection and could suffer organ failure in the coming months. Family members said his chest, arms and hair was scorched.

"He's looking for a long-haul recovery," Broward County sheriff Al Lamberti told CNN.

Family members and police said that on Sunday, Brewer reported the attempted theft of his father's custom $500 bicycle. Fearing a confrontation, he skipped school Monday and went to visit a friend at a nearby apartment complex. Seeking revenge against Brewer for informing on the culprit, the suspects found Brewer by a swimming pool. One splashed him with rubbing alcohol and another set him ablaze with a cigarette lighter, police said.

Television footage from the scene showed scorched clothing and a fire extinguisher spread out on a green lawn.

Lamberti said the five suspects, as of now charged as adults, were identified by witnesses because they have not interviewed Brewer. He said the ringleader exhorted the others to set Brewer on fire, crying "he's a snitch, burn him, burn him". He described one youth as remorseful but said two others are "laughing it off". Authorities must now determine whether they should be prosecuted as adults.

Three of the suspected attackers appeared in court yesterday. A photograph showed the young boys sitting handcuffed in court wearing khaki and green jail clothes.