Homeless man set on fire at Times Square subway station

A homeless subway rider was reportedly set on fire early Monday and left with serious burns at Penn Station in Midtown.

According to the NYPD, the man was asleep on a northbound 3 train around 3 am when a suspect entered the car at the 34th Street Penn Station stop in Midtown. The suspect walked into the train, allegedly lit the victim’s pants on fire, then returned to the platform and fled the scene.

Officers were able to extinguish the flames with water. First responders transported the victim to New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was treated for leg burns described as significant but not life-threatening.

Police are investigating the situation. Authorities said it is unclear how the fire was initially started and whether the man who fled was actually on the same train as the victim, as the victim has not been fully cooperative and gave contradictory statements, according to the Daily News. 

The suspect was described as wearing a gray jacket, black hat, and black pants, and having darker skin. The NYPD is asking anyone with information to contact police or submit tips through the Crime Stoppers website.

The incident comes amid continued acts of violence on public transit involving arson in New York. Last year, a 57-year-old homeless woman was fatally set on fire in Brooklyn. The 33-year-old suspect pleaded not guilty in January to murder and arson charges.

Last month, a woman was also set on fire on a Chicago train by a crazed suspect who had at least 72 prior arrests spanning more than three decades.