I’ve seen several recent news reports describing criminals using fire as a weapon. This year there have been at least 10 such incidents reported in the United States. While researching this article, I also found numerous incidents in India, England, Ireland, Canada, and Australia. Take a look at the following news stories:
Virginia councilman set on fire in personal attack
Man set on fire in New York’s Times Square
Subway rider set on fire on Times Square platform
Man arrested after setting woman on fire for not getting him a beer
Soddy-Daisy man charged with attempted murder after allegedly setting woman on fire
Man arrested for allegedly setting his wife on fire near Porterville
Ohio woman set on fire in dispute with neighbor
Man accused of setting woman on fire on subway told police he didn’t remember it
Woman knocks man from wheelchair, douses him with gas, tries to set him on fire in Victorville
Chicago man accused of setting train passenger on fire had 72 prior arrests
Train surveillance footage of Chicago fire attack
Using fire as a weapon is not a new tactic. Previously, I’ve given advice to police officers facing flammable liquids. I’ve also written about dealing with thrown Molotov cocktails. Today’s installment will take a look at a more pedestrian use of fire as a direct weapon against an individual.
This type of attack first came on my radar a couple years ago when I saw video footage of an incident in a California restaurant where the attacker doused two people with gasoline and attempted to set them on fire. Read the article below for more details.
Horrifying moment California man walks into pizza joint kitchen armed with a knife, douses cook with lighter fluid and tries to set him on fire
Part of that attack was also caught on video.
Man tries to set pizza employees on fire
Have you considered how you might respond a criminal attacker attempts to set you on fire? Here are some tips.
1) Distance equals safety. Fire is almost like an extended range contact weapon. If you can get out of range of the thrown liquid and/or the flame you will be relatively safe. That should be your prime goal. The attacker probably isn’t going to be able to throw a significant amount of gasoline on you if you are at least 20 feet away. If you can get that far (and the attackers don’t advance) you will minimize the danger, at least temporarily.
If you can’t run away, getting a barrier between you and the bad guy might also be an excellent strategy.
As you make your escape, have you thought about clothing considerations? Could you run away in high heels or dress shoes? Do you wear clothes made of synthetic fibers that will quickly catch fire and/or melt? If I saw even one of these attacks in my area (or I used public transportation), I wouldn’t leave the house unless I was wearing shoes I could run in and all natural fiber (cotton and wool) clothing.
2) In contrast, proximity equals safety as well. If you can’t get away, close the distance and try to latch on to the attacker. Attempt to take away the lighter, blowtorch, or Molotov cocktail. He may be less likely to turn you into a burning torch if he knows that doing so will set him on fire as well. In California case noted above, the bad guy was also armed with a knife which might make this option less desirable.
3) Do you have the ability to extinguish the flames? I carry a full size dry chemical fire extinguisher in my car. I also have a First Alert fire extinguisher within reach in my driver’s door map pocket. No one says you can’t carry a Mini Firefighter extinguisher on your person or in your bag whenever you in a situation that places you at risk of people utilizing fire as a weapon.
If you don’t have an extinguisher, stop, drop, and roll. Kill the flames with a blanket or coat. If all else fails, you can use a can of soft drink to stop the flames.
4) Pepper spray is a viable option. Most pepper spray streamer units will travel farther than someone can throw gasoline. Get out of range and hose the guy down with OC. It would probably be best not to carry OC that uses rubbing alcohol as a carrier agent. If he touches the flammable stream with his blow torch, it may set your hand/OC unit on fire.
5) A blade may be better than a gun. If the bad guy is spraying everyone with a flammable liquid, do you want to fire a gun? I don’t. I would prefer not to inadvertently torch an innocent person from an errant spark. A knife may be messier, but in this scenario it might prove to be a better option.
6) Don’t forget additional weapons. As mentioned above, the California attacker also had a knife on his person. Be careful when engaging. Never assume that the flame is his only weapon.
I hope you never have to face fire as a weapon. If you do, please remember these simple tips.
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