The wife and brother of a United States green card holder, who burned himself to prevent the demolition of his father's house, have decided to hire lawyers to sue their village committee for allegedly leveling the house without permission.

Xi Xinzhu, who set himself on fire on Monday, is recuperating at No 304 hospital with his right hand and torso wrapped in bandages. His face suffered severe burns and is badly damaged.

A ward nurse told China Daily that he is no longer in critical condition as of Tuesday but that 10 percent of his body is severely damaged.