Suspect flees with his pants on fire after fuel theft goes wrong

A suspected US thief fled with his pants on fire after a fuel heist went drastically wrong.

CCTV footage shows how the suspect's attempt to siphon fuel from the parked vehicle in Portland, Oregon, backfired.

Authorities say the man parked his van next to the truck and rigged a siphoning hose to its fuel cap.

He then dragged the hose into his vehicle and began to drain the fuel. Moments later a blaze broke out in his van.

He fled from the scene with his pants ablaze, authorities say.

Firefighters were called to the fire on Monday and quickly extinguished the flames, reports Oregon Live.

Investigators are examining the video for clues in their hunt for the suspect who probably needs medical attention.  

"All you see is fire ignite and then you see this guy run away with the lower half of his body in flames," Lieutenant Rich Chatman, of Portland Fire and Rescue said.