A 45-year-old man was set on fire in Times Square overnight on Sunday, according to police. This incident occurred three months after a woman was killed in an arson attack on a subway train.

Footage captured the moments the man, shirtless and severely burned, being rushed into an ambulance after the flames were extinguished.

Police stated that the man was found on fire around 4 a.m. and taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition. The assailant allegedly fled the scene and is being sought by authorities. The police were unable to determine if the attack was random or targeted.

It was later reported that the man had been doused with an accelerant from a Patron tequila bottle and set on fire. The victim ran 100 feet while on fire before someone jumped out of a car and used a powder fire extinguisher to douse him.

Residents and observers have expressed concern about the safety of Times Square early in the morning, as police presence is reportedly scarce in side streets. The issue of street violence is expected to be a major topic in New York’s mayoral elections this year, with candidates offering different solutions.

The former state governor, Andrew Cuomo, has referred to the city as “out of control” and vowed to increase the police force by 5,000 officers. The current mayor, Eric Adams, has stated that the problem lies with bail reforms implemented by Cuomo rather than a lack of police officers.

Statistics show that overall crime trends in the city are declining. Adams has urged people to stop describing the city as being in “chaos and crisis.”

However, the recent arson attack has renewed concerns about city safety. Just three months ago, a woman named Debrina Kawam was fatally set on fire in a subway car, which horrified New Yorkers and reignited debates about public safety.

The individual accused of lighting Kawam on fire, named Sebastian Zapeta, was apprehended hours after the incident and charged with murder and arson. He was found in the vicinity of the incident with a lighter in his possession. The mayor’s office condemned the act as a level of evil that cannot be tolerated.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/16/man-fire-times-square-new-york