Man Burned Alive in Times Square Horror

In the heart of one of the world's busiest cities, a man was horrifyingly set on fire on a Times Square street corner. The terrifying assault, caught on video, has stunned New Yorkers and left a 45-year-old man with devastating injuries.

Man Drenched in Accelerant, Set Ablaze

At around 3:57 a.m. on March 16, things took a violent turn near West 41st Street and Broadway. Police say the victim had been chatting with the suspect at a food cart when he briefly stepped into a nearby nightclub. Moments after he came back, the suspect grabbed an accelerant from the cart, poured it on him, and set him on fire.

The victim immediately became engulfed in flames and ran for his life, covering about 100 feet before collapsing. Video shows the victim screaming and staggering as bystanders looked on in horror. A quick-thinking witness ultimately used a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze.

Victim in Stable Condition After Graphic Burns

The 45-year-old man sustained severe burns to his face and upper body. Emergency responders rushed him to New York Presbyterian Cornell Hospital where he remains in stable condition. Despite the horrifying visuals and the intense heat he endured, doctors say he is expected to survive.

Attacker and Victim Knew Each Other

Police say the victim and the suspect knew each other. The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but the brutal nature of the assault has added urgency to the investigation. After setting the victim on fire, the suspect fled the scene heading north on Broadway and has not been seen since.

Detectives are analyzing nearby surveillance footage and encouraging the public to come forward with any information. Authorities have not released the victim or suspect's identity.

Public Shocked by Violence in Tourist Hub

This violent act has sparked concern about safety in New York City, a location that sees thousands of visitors daily. A Brooklyn woman employed at a nearby restaurant told The New York Post that the area becomes unsettling in the early hours, especially with the noticeable lack of police presence. "Yeah, it's pretty scary before 8 or 9 a.m.," she said. "There are no cops on these blocks at all. These side streets. They're really only on the avenues, and they only give directions to tourists."

This recent Times Square attack echoes a similarly disturbing case from just months ago, when 57-year-old Debrina Kawam was set on fire aboard a subway train in Brooklyn. Prosecutors allege Sebastian Zapeta, 33, started the fire, used a shirt to fan the flames, and then sat on a bench and watched her burn, according to the Associated Press. Kawam died from her injuries, and Zapeta has pleaded not guilty to murder and arson. With two violent fire attacks happening in public spaces just months apart, many are now questioning how safe the city really is. As the manhunt continues, the NYPD urges anyone with tips to contact Crime Stoppers.

References: Man set on fire in Times Square, leaving him horrifically burned: video | Police are seeking person who set a man on fire near Times Square