Islington fire: Sickening moment man sets himself ablaze in front of terrified onlookers

14 December 2024 , 12:26

647     0

Islington fire: Sickening moment man sets himself ablaze in front of terrified onlookers

Metropolitan police officers attempted to stop the flames after a man set himself on fire in front of horrified bystanders in Islington, North London

This is the moment a man set himself on fire in front of terrified police officers and bystanders in a London street.

Metropolitan police officers frantically used fire extinguishers and covered him with a jacket in a bid to put out the flames. Bystanders were heard screaming while footage of the harrowing incident was shared widely on social media.

The man set himself ablaze after officers were called to reports of a domestic row at a home in North Road, Islington. He was later taken to hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Throughout a video shared by London & UK Street News on X/Twitter, the man could be seen with his hands held above his head before he fell to his knees. Bystanders were visibly shaken and screamed in horror as officers surrounded the man.

Update to reports the man set him self a light in Islington north London yesterday pic.twitter.com/dpBHtYHpBl

— London & UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) December 14, 2024

The man was still on fire after being doused in foam from the fire extinguisher with one man being seen calling on others to get some water. Another officer could then be seen removing his jacket in a bid to stop the flames.

"Police were called at approximately 09:25hrs on Friday, 13 December to reports of a domestic disturbance at an address in North Road, N7," a Met Police spokesperson told The Mirror.

"Officers attended and found a man in the street who then set himself alight. Officers, along with members of the public put the flames out. The London Ambulance Service and London Fire brigade also attended the scene.

"The man was taken to hospital, his condition is not life threatening or life changing . His next of kin are aware. An officer was also treated at hospital for minor burns and has since been discharged.

"The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed. Due to police being in attendance when the man sustained his injuries, a mandatory referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct."

George MacGregor