A man with a combustible personality – one that has caused him to be set on fire 17 times – will visit the Martin Luther King Commons tonight.

Ars Nova, a NIU student art organization, is holding its fall fair at the Martin Luther King Commons. The event’s principle attraction is Chris Maiden, a senior art major, who also is known as “The Fire Guy.”

Maiden is going to present fire sculptures and tricks during four different sections tonight. His first presentation is at 6:30 p.m., followed by presentations at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Maiden, who has been working in Chicagoland for the past few years, provides a 15-minute show to onlookers.

Fire breathing, spinning and different sorts of tricks are what students can expect tonight, Maiden said.

Maiden last performed two years ago in front of Douglas Hall. Now, most of his presentations have been at parties in DeKalb.

University Police will be helping The Fire Guy to make sure nothing goes wrong.

“Seventeen times I caught myself on fire,” Maiden said. “But, it does not happen anymore.”