Person ‘set on fire’ near Manhattan’s Penn Station escalator? What we know

A person was reportedly set on fire at Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, New York.

A person was reportedly “set on fire” near an escalator. Penn Station in Midtown ManhattanNew York, on Friday. According to RAW Alerts, citing firefighters, the unidentified person suffered burns from direct flames. The cause of the incident remains unclear. The victim was taken to a local hospital, but his condition is unknown at this time. Authorities have not yet released an official statement. Local journalist Oliya Scootercaster reported on X that MTA police are reviewing CCTV footage to confirm the victim’s account of the incident.

Times Now has reached out to the NYPD for comment on the incident.

The incident comes days after a woman was fatally set on fire aboard a New York City subway train at the Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue station. The suspect, Sebastian Zapeta-Calil, is said to have set fire to the woman’s clothing and then used a shirt to “fan the flames” as the fire consumed her. He was arrested and charged with murder and arson.

“These are significant numbers. First-degree murder carries the possibility of life without parole. This is the most serious statute in New York State law, and my office is very confident in the evidence in the case and will hold Zapeta accountable for his dastardly actions,” said Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez.

The woman, who is believed to be homeless, has not been identified.

“The identity of the deceased has yet to be properly disclosed to the family,” the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information told Newsweek.

Zapeta-Calil, a 33-year-old illegal Guatemalan immigrant, is scheduled to be arraigned on January 7.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated with more information