ATTLEBORO - A man rescued from a burning car was listed in critical condition Friday in the trauma intensive care unit at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.

Dominateur Bernier, 43, of Central Falls, R.I., suffered third-degree burns over 20 percent of his body and lung injuries in a fire discovered about 4:45 a.m. Thursday, Detective Timothy Cook Sr. said.

A hospital spokeswoman said Bernier was listed Friday evening in critical condition.

Bernier apparently fell asleep in his car after attending a holiday social gathering at 41 Carrier Ave. in South Attleboro, Cook said.

Bernier was rescued from the burning car by Nicholas Marcil, 20, of 41 Carrier Ave., and his uncle, Raoul Marcil of Seekonk, police said. Cook said Nicholas Marcil awoke from sleep and saw the burning vehicle and went outside with his uncle to extinguish the blaze, when they discovered Bernier in the car.

The two men initially tried to kick out the windows after finding the car doors locked before running back into the house for a hammer, Cook said.

"They got the hammer and smashed out the window," Cook said.

They used a fire extinguisher to flight the blaze and got Bernier out of the vehicle, Cook said.

The cause of the fire was under investigation, but is believed to have started in the dashboard, based on the burn pattern inside the vehicle, Cook said.

It may not be possible to determine the exact cause because the car was heavily damaged.