Jackson Hair Horror 'Sparked Pill Addiction'
A harrowing accident that happened while Michael Jackson was filming a commercial may have fuelled his addiction to painkillers, it has been claimed.
Jackson's head was badly burned during the TV ad. Pic Usmagazine.com
Shocking new video footage has revealed the star was severely injured when his hair caught fire after a special effects explosion.
The singer was filming a TV ad for Pepsi in the Los Angeles Auditorium in January 27, 1984 when things went horribly wrong.
Usmagazine.com's clip shows Jackson dancing on stage in a glittering suit while pyrotechnic displays explode around him, as planned.
Video: Jackson's Hair Catches Fire
But during the sixth take the fireworks go off too early and Jackson's hair catches fire.
At first Jackson is apparently unaware his head is on fire and continues dancing for several seconds until the crew descends on him to douse the flames.
The pop star suffered second and third-degree burns on his scalp, face and body - for which he had to have surgery.
To relieve his injuries, the star was prescribed several medications, which kicked off his addiction to painkillers and obsession with plastic surgery, Usmagazine.com says.
Michael Jackson 
Sources close to Jackson have claimed he was never the same after the accident, the website adds.
Powerful painkillers were found in Jackson's body after he died from a suspected cardiac arrest on June 25, aged 50.
Reports have said Jackson regularly took a cocktail of up to eight painkillers to help him deal wit
