Man allegedly torches himself after girlfriend found new partner

KANGAR: Several videos of a man with his body on fire while walking away from a burning car have gone viral.

Apparently, the man was believed to have torched himself inside the car after learning that his girlfriend had found a new boyfriend.

The victim was rushed to the Tuanku Fauziah Hospital.

Initial investigations showed that the victim, aged 28, suffered about 96% burns.

Kangar Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Shahrunnizam Kamar Bashah said they rushed to Jalan Baru in Kampung Syed Omar, Bintong, after receiving a distress call at 8.49pm on Wednesday (Feb 16).

"The car was engulfed in flames when we reached the scene.

"We managed to put out the fire in less than 30 minutes," he was quoted as saying by several dailies.

Kangar OCPD Supt Wari Kiew said the incident took place on a bridge in Kampung Syed Omar, adding that the victim is a car accessories shop owner.

"Upon witnessing the incident, a motorist, who was on his way home, pulled over after seeing the victim walking towards him.

"He called the police, firemen and ambulance after calming the victim down at the scene.

"Investigations showed the victim has been seeking treatment at the Psychiatry Department of Tuanku Fauziah Hospital.

"His father had wanted to lodge a police report after the victim alerted that he had consumed petrol before he drove out from the house," Supt Wari told Utusan Online.

He also said the victim claimed that he wanted to help cut grass at his grandfather's house in Kaki Bukit.