Man sets himself on fire in front of police after domestic row

A man set himself on fire in the middle of a busy London street yesterday morning.

Footage shows police officers dousing the man with a fire extinguisher and covering him up with a jacket after he went up in flames on North Road in Islington.

The man set himself on fire in front of emergency services after they were called to a domestic row, the Metropolitan Police has said.

Onlookers can be heard screaming in horror as the man lights the fire.

He was taken to hospital and his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

A police officer was also taken to hospital with minor injuries but has since been discharged.

A spokesperson for the Met police said: ‘Police were called at approximately 09:25hrs on Friday, 13 December to reports of a domestic disturbance at an address in North Road, N7.

‘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.’

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