Man on fire threatens police

A man was taken into custody by San Francisco police Sunday in the city’s Bayview District after he reportedly set himself on fire using a flammable liquid and advanced on officers.

Officers with the San Francisco Police Department responded Sunday at 9:40 p.m. to the 2100 block of Jennings Street on a report a man was making threats to use a gasoline bomb or Molotov cocktail, police said.

There were also reports the man may have been in possession of a pipe bomb.

Responding officers located the man, identified as a 30-year-old San Francisco resident, and he spoke with officers briefly before walking away, police said.

One of the officers noted a clear bottle containing a liquid in the man’s rear pocket.

The man removed the bottle from his pocket, poured the contents over himself and began walking toward officers, police said.

When he was about 90 feet away from officers, he made remarks about officers not turning their backs on him and he referenced police shootings.

Police said he walked to about 50 feet away from officers, pulled out a lighter and set himself on fire.

The man then approached several officers at a fast pace, police said.

The officers attempted to create distance between themselves and the man, and after about 10 seconds, the man stopped and started to take off his clothing, police said.

The man was then taken into custody and provided treatment by responding San Francisco Fire Department medics.

During an investigation into the incident, officers discovered that prior to their arrival, the man had reportedly chased a woman while holding something in his hand and threatened to set her on fire.

The man was transported to the hospital for treatment and will likely be arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and possession of an incendiary device, according to police.