2 hospitalized after man self-immolates at New Taipei gas station

Taipei, Jan. 9 (CNA) A man allegedly set himself on fire at a petrol station in New Taipei on Friday afternoon, leaving himself and another individual injured, according to the city's Fire Department.

The department said it received a report at 5:44 p.m. that a man had self-immolated at a CPC Corp., Taiwan gas station on Minzu Road in Banqiao District. However, by the time firefighters arrived, station staff had extinguished the blaze.

The man was restrained at the scene and sustained second-degree burns, the department said. The fire also injured a bystander, who suffered burns. Both were conscious and taken to Far Eastern Memorial Hospital in Banqiao for treatment.

The Haishan Police Precinct said no weapons or dangerous items were found at the scene. Based on a preliminary investigation, police said the man who "started the fire" lunged at a nearby security guard surnamed Tseng (曾), causing him to also suffer burns. However, they declined to confirm whether the man set himself on fire.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness told CNA that the man also lunged at firefighters as they sprayed him with a hose, but he was quickly restrained.

Police later told reporters that neither man suffered life-threatening injuries, adding that Tseng had burns on his right leg. The motive for the incident is being investigated, they added.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts in Taiwan, please call the 1925, 1995, or 1980 hotlines for help.