NW man lit on fire
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Updated: October 14, 2009 9:49 AM
Vancouver Police continue to investigate a Saturday evening assault where a New Westminster man was lit on fire after falling asleep on a couch left on the side of the street near East Fifth Avenue and Commercial Drive.
The 26-year-old man had been out drinking in the area of Commercial Drive when he saw a couch on the sidewalk and decided to lay down to sleep. At 11:40 p.m., a person in the area saw three men standing over the sleeping man and watched as one of them sprayed some type of fluid onto him and then lit him on fire.
The witness ran to help the man and a brief physical altercation ensued between him and the three men as he tried to help the victim. Another witness heard the commotion and ran to help, causing the suspects to run off.
The victim suffered minor burns to the right side of his chest and right wrist and was taken to hospital.
Police say the assault does not appear to be a hate crime. They have not not been able to determine the motive for the attack.
Witnesses say the three men were all Caucasian and dressed in black clothing. One was between 25 and 40 years old, 6' to 6' 2'' tall, with a bald or shaved head and tattoos on his arms. The other two had piercings.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information on the assault is asked to contact the VPD Robbery/Assault Squad at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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