U.S.
magician Wayne Houchin is recovering in a Dominican Republic hospital
after a TV host lit his head on fire with a flammable liquid.
Houchin
was a guest on the Dominican Republic’s “Approach the Stars” TV
program Nov. 26 when, he says, host Franklin Barazarte unexpectedly
poured flammable cologne on his head.
A
video of the incident shows the magician’s head bursting into flames as
Barazarte runs his hands over Houchin’s hair. A warrant has been issued
for Barazarte’s arrest.
Houchin
was rushed to the hospital with first- and second-degree burns to his
face and hands. He wrote on Facebook, “This was not a stunt or part of
an act. This was a criminal attack.”
In
an e-mail to ABC News, he said: “The doctors here are cautiously
optimistic that I will heal with no scars on my face. Each day I look
and feel better. My hand, however, is in a lot of pain and isn’t
healing as well as my face.”
Even
world-famous magician David Copperfield has come out in support of
Houchin. “You try to present yourself as a performer that is creating
wonder and amazement and occasionally somebody might misunderstand that
and might think that you’re trying to foster belief in something
supernatural,” Copperfield told ABC News Sunday night.
Houchin
was performing on the show with a group of magicians. After the
performances, Houchin says, the host told them he wanted to give them a
“blessing.” Without warning, Houchin said, the host doused him with
“Agua de Florida,” a flammable cologne commonly used in Santeria
rituals.
The
video shows Barazarte and others trying to extinguish the flames for a
few seconds as Houchin lay on the floor covering his face. Someone in
the video can be heard saying, “His face is burnt.”
It
is unclear what ignited the cologne. The incident was not broadcast on
Dominican television, according to The Associated Press. The show has
not responded to ABC News’ request for comment.
Houchin
has gained international success as a magician. He has appeared on
Discovery’s “Breaking Magic.” Houchin and his wife earlier this year
broke the world magic record for the fastest upside-down, dual
strait-jacket escape.
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