New York City police are on the hunt for a suspect who set a man on fire near Times Square in a shocking early-morning attack. The incident took place around 4 a.m. on Sunday near West 41st Street and 7th Avenue, an area that remains busy even in the early hours.
According to authorities, the 45-year-old victim was standing near a food cart when he was approached by the suspect. Witnesses say the two appeared to be conversing before the situation took a horrific turn. The attacker allegedly pulled out a bottle—believed to contain a flammable liquid—doused the victim, and ignited him in flames.
Bystanders sprang into action as the victim stumbled in agony, engulfed in fire. A quick-thinking Good Samaritan grabbed a fire extinguisher and managed to put out the flames before emergency crews arrived. The victim, suffering severe burns, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains in stable condition.
The suspect fled the scene immediately, disappearing into the city’s streets before authorities could intervene. Police are now scouring surveillance footage from nearby businesses in hopes of identifying the individual. Officials believe the victim may have known his attacker, though the nature of their relationship remains unclear.
This brazen act of violence has rattled both locals and tourists alike, raising fresh concerns about safety in one of the world’s most visited locations. It also echoes a tragic case from just three months ago, when a woman was fatally set on fire inside a subway car—an incident that had already sparked citywide discussions on crime and security.
The NYPD is urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation intensifies. In a city that never sleeps, such acts of brutality serve as a chilling reminder of the dangers lurking even in the most well-lit corners.
