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Man suffers burns in incident outside Broadway drugstore

A man was burned and taken to the hospital Friday morning after reportedly setting himself on fire in front of businesses at Broadway and E Olive Way.

Seattle Police units were the first to arrive at the corner around 8:30 AM to a report that the man was on fire. Seattle Fire arrived as SPD was assisting the man. According to a department spokesperson, Seattle Fire paramedics rushed the man to Harborview for treatment of burns. He was reported in stable condition.

Police are investigating the incident. We do not have details on how the man set himself on fire. The area where the incident occurred is a popular hangout for homeless people and panhandlers. The sidewalk in front of Rite Aid was strewn with blankets, cardboard, and possessions that some others hanging out at the spot said belonged to the injured man.

UPDATE: Police tells CHS that the Broadway incident appears to have been a mental health crisis situation.

The Broadway fire follows a terrible attack earlier this week in Fremont in which police say an assailant set a man on fire on the street in the 4500 block of Leary Way NW. Police are searching for 31-year-old Christopher Burrus, the man they believe assaulted the victim.

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Bob Knudson
Bob Knudson
6 years ago

This is one of many examples of the fact that our mental health system is terribly broken, and does not reach even the most severely affected people. It’s a disgrace.

I hope he’s going to be OK.