Man Catches Fire At Gas Pump In Centreville: Police

CENTREVILLE, VA—A man suffered severe burns after catching himself on fire while pumping gas last Sunday outside a Shell station at 5501 Union Mill Road, according to Fairfax County Police. He initially left the scene but later was found by police at his home with burns to his upper body. He was treated at a nearby hospital.

Police went to the station after being alerted by an attendant, who said he saw a man pumping gas and then trying to extinguish flames on his clothing. The attendant checked on the man, who said he was fine and then drove away, leaving behind a partially burned coat.

Police found an ID inside the coat and went to his home to check on him. Once there, they found the vehicle near the rear of the residence and also found an interior door open inside the open garage. The man was found lying on the floor and shaking badly. An ambulance was called and he was taken to the hospital.

An investigation found that his coat had been stained with a flammable liquid. While he was pumping gap, he used a lighter which, in turn, ignited his jacket.

Image via Fairfax County Police