QLD: Man tries to set fire to himself and policeman: police

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2008
QLD: Man tries to set fire to himself and policeman: police

BRISBANE, Dec 14 AAP - Police had to use a fire extinguisher to stop a man who tried
to set himself and a Queensland police officer on fire.

Police were called to a Meringandan property, north of Toowoomba, at 9.30pm (AEST)
on Saturday and found the man lying on top of a pile of timber and threatening to set
himself on fire.

On seeing the officers, the man doused himself in fuel and tried to set fire to himself,
police said.

"It (the fire extinguisher) was used as preventative action," a police spokeswoman said.

"There was an attempt to light a flame and I guess as they've seen that they then deployed
the fire extinguisher."

The man then lunged at one of the police officers, spraying him with fuel before attempting
to set the officer alight.

The officers struggled with the man before restraining him.

Both officers received hospital treatment after one had petrol splashed in his eye
and the other had an asthma attack triggered by the petrol vapour.

The alleged offender was taken to Toowoomba Hospital where he was examined and released.

A 34-year-old man is due to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on January 7
charged with serious assault over the incident.

AAP ahe/srp/de

KEYWORD: ALIGHT UPDATE

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