Freebasing was the predecessor to crack, but not exactly the same thing. Freebasing involved mixing cocaine with a volatile liquid/gas , (like ethyl), for smoking, and was extremely flammable. Crack evolved as a more refined product, available as a nugget, and not nearly as unstable, while producing similar results. It was considered “safer” and more convenient to consume.
An aside: I worked in Milford, CT when Pryor caught fire. Milford was the home of BIC, and the original blame was cast on an exploding BIC lighter. The entire town was on pins and needles, for about three days, until the freebasing truth came out. If Richard Pryor had set foot in that town during that time, I have no doubt he would have been strung up, by the local populace. Thanks.
It was near where I lived that Richard Pryor ran down the street high and on fire. Woodland hills, ca.
Oh - you are saying that Bic is there — sorry. Forgot that was the first explanation. Yeah, I liked his explanation on his post recovery video - he had milk and cookies a den he dipped the cookies into the milk it exploded. Lol.