Watch: Fire Erupts On CTA Red Line Train As Cops Subdue Suspect

CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Transit Authority released dramatic video of a fire breaking out on a Red Line train last month as police brawled with a man who appeared to be holding paint thinner. CTA officials on Friday released footage of the Jan. 18 melee, which happened on a southbound train near the Argyle Avenue station in Rogers Park.

In the video, a man identified as David Ferguson sits by himself on the train as a police officer enters the car. Ferguson gets up and a fight breaks out. Two more officers rush in to help the officer subdue Ferguson.

At one point, flames erupt in the back of the car near Ferguson and two of the officers. All four rush out of the train and flames can be seen on both Ferguson's shoes and one officer's shoes. A thick, black cloud of smoke then quickly envelops the car.

The fire caused $10,000 worth of damage, police previously said.

Ferguson, 28, of the Horner Park neighborhood, was accused of dousing a fellow passenger with paint thinner before lighting himself and the train on fire. He was hospitalized with third-degree burns and the train's conductor suffered smoke inhalation, police said.

A police officer also hurt his right knee and shoulder, a police report said.

In the train car, he allegedly used a water bottle to spray a 26-year-old woman sitting across from him with paint thinner.

Ferguson is charged with aggravated arson and aggravated battery. He remains jailed without bail.

Photo credit: Screenshot YouTube