Sukur Sau was set on fire allegedly by Surinder when he went to claim his money on Wednesday night.
In a macabre sight, a man in his 40s ran through the street in flames at Ghusuri in Howrah district as frightened passersby looked on.
Sukur Sau, a resident of Joybibi 1st Lane in the Ghusuri police station area, was set on fire allegedly by Surinder, who owed the victim Rs 1,500.
Mr Sau was set on fire when he went to Surinder on Wednesday night to claim his money, police said on Thursday.
Burning all over, Mr Sau ran for his life till some locals wrapped him around with blankets to put out the fire and admitted him to a local hospital with severe burn injuries, the police said.
The police is on the lookout for Surinder who is absconding.