Pepsi mystified by Jackson clip
 

Page last updated at 15:02 GMT, Friday, 17 July 2009 16:02 UK
Pepsi mystified by Jackson clip

Michael Jackson in an ambulance after his accident
Jackson received second degree burns to his scalp in the accident

A spokeswoman for Pepsi said the drinks giant has no idea where "terrifying" footage of Michael Jackson's hair catching fire in 1984 came from.

The accident, which happened when the singer was filming a commercial for Pepsi at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, left him with serious burns.

"We don't know how the footage became available," Nicole Bradley of Pepsi-Cola North America said in a statement.

"This was an unfortunate accident that occurred more than 25 years ago."

'Grateful'

The late entertainer was singing his hit song Billie Jean for a Pepsi Cola commercial when the "highly publicised" incident took place.

The footage, which surfaced for the first time this week, shows the singer's hair being set alight by a pyrotechnic explosion.

Jackson, who was 25 at the time, was taken to hospital where he was treated for second degree burns to his scalp.

It has since been alleged the pop star became addicted to pain-killing medication as a result of the incident.

"It was a terrifying event that we'll never forget," Bradley continued, saying Pepsi had been "deeply saddened" by his death last month.

"We were grateful for Michael's recovery and for the chance to continue working with him on a number of successful projects."

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