LOS ANGELES — An exotic dancer was set on fire outside the club where she worked early Thursday, burning more than 60 percent of her body, police said. They were searching for two suspects.

A woman and a man called the 27-year-old dancer outside around 1 a.m. and then doused her with a flammable liquid next to the Babes & Beer sports club in the San Fernando Valley, police said. The dancer ran back inside and patrons came to her aid, police said.

Police identified the suspects as Rianne Celine Theriault-Odom, 27, and Nathaniel Marquis Petrillo, 22, both frequent patrons of the club. They were being sought for investigation of attempted murder, police said.

"Given the condition of this victim, they may be responsible for ultimately her murder," Deputy Chief Michel Moore said. "This is a terrible, terrible attack."

Moore said the dancer, a mother of two, was in grave condition after being burned over more than 60 percent of her body. Her identity was not immediately released.

A sign at the club indicated it was a sports bar. A message left at the club was not immediately returned.