Cross-burning Florida man Ron Nielson sets himself ablaze in Halloween prank

A Florida man leaed the hard way not to mess with the Almighty when he caught fire during a cross-buing Halloween 'prank'.

Ron Nielson, 50, of Palm Bay, Florida, was admitted to the bus unit at the Orlando Regional Medical Centre after the incident outside his home, Florida Today reports.

Mr Nielson accidentally set himself alight while constructing a "prank" display for Halloween alongside his home, using petrol, a wooden cross and candles.

He was treated at the scene by emergency services, then airlifted to hospital.

"He was conscious and alert but he had second-degree bus over 40 to 50 per cent of his body, including his chest, arms, upper torso," said Yvonne Martinez, spokeswoman for the Palm Bay Police Department.

Police said Mr Nielson was with his wife when the incident occurred. "It started as some kind of prank apparently and involved a wooden cross. We don’t know if he was trying to light the cross or the candles but when he did, his clothes caught fire," Ms Martinez said.

A person who saw Nielson on fire called the emergency number for help.

An investigation is underway.