LUDHIANA: Two goons threw petrol on a

and set him on

fire

in Madhopuri Friday morning.

Davinder Lal, 45, was ironing clothes at his shop when the two approached him around 7.30am. "They were carrying a bottle. Claiming it to be

, the duo offered it to Davinder. When he refused, they threw the bottle's contents on him, set him on fire and fled from the spot. The

contained petrol," said ACP (central) Waryam Singh.

On hearing Davinder's screams, neighbours rushed to his rescue.

Naresh Gogna, an eyewitness, said, "I was standing outside my house when I heard Davinder screaming. I ran towards him and saw two men running from there. Flames had engulfed Davinder's face. I doused the fire with my shirt. We then rushed Davinder to civil hospital." Davinder, who received burns on his face, told the police, "After the two threw petrol on my face, I tried to wipe it off with a cloth I was holding. But within no time, they lighted a matchstick and threw it at me."

"The residents said the two often visited their area and were seen working with a woman, who is a sanitation worker. We have traced the woman. The accused will be arrested soon," the ACP added. Police suspect old rivalry sparked the incident.