LAHORE, Jan 7: A security guard died from burn wounds when his friend allegedly poured petrol over him and set him on fire in Old Anarkali here on Friday.

Police said that Ramzan (32) of Mianwali, working with a security agency for some years, had been deputed at a shopping plaza in Old Anarkali.

The guard developed friendship with shopkeeper Alamdar, they said and added they both were sitting together last night when Alamdar allegedly threw petrol on the guard and set him afire.

The guard got critical burns and died in the Mayo Hospital. The body was removed to the city mortuary for autopsy. The shopkeeper was taken into custody by the police, who claimed that he threw the petrol just as a joke, and the guard caught fire accidentally when another of their friend lit a cigarette. However, a murder case was registered against him.