VANCOUVER — A man is expected to face attempted murder charges after his friend was set on fire.

RCMP Cpl. Richard De Jong said the two men were arguing Saturday afternoon in a grassy field in North Vancouver Saturday when one of the men was doused with camp fuel and set on fire.

The 54-year-old victim is now in a drug-induced coma at hospital, with severe burns covering half his body.

Mounties are recommending an attempted murder charge against a 34-year-old suspect.

“They’re obviously not close friends,” De Jong said Monday. “There were several witnesses and they have been co-operating.”

Police said the two men had been drinking alcohol all day before the altercation.

It’s unclear why the fuel was present, De Jong said, since the group didn’t light a campfire.

The suspect is in custody pending a court appearance Tuesday.