The moment domestic violence suspect, 51, sets his own doorway ON FIRE after dousing officers with petrol in a bid to avoid arrest
- A 51-year-old man set his home on fire in Fanworth, Bolton, at 11pm yesterday
- Police broke into his home to arrest him for suspected domestic violence
- An officer was hospitalised and treated by an eye specialist for chemical burns
A domestic violence suspect threw petrol on himself and police officers before setting his own doorway on fire in a bid to avoid arrest.
The 51-year-old man threatened to set himself on fire while police broke into his house at 11pm yesterday in Farnworth, Bolton.
Terrifying bodycam footage shows officers shouting ‘Fire! Fire!’ as flames erupt from under the entrance.
Once they break in the suspect yells, violently struggles and attempts to barricade himself in before being restrained and arrested.
A domestic violence suspect, 51, sets his doorway alight and threatens to set himself on fire while resisting arrest at 11pm yesterday in Farnworth, Bolton
In the video, the man shouts abuse out his window at the officers, as one says: ‘He’s got petrol, he’s tipping it out the window.’
He comes out the house and pushes officers with riots shields away as they approach his door and slams it shut behind him as he goes back in.
Suddenly, flames burst from underneath the door and officers shout: ‘Fire! Fire!’
As the fires dies out, police force the door open and the man emerges from the smoky hallway.
The man yells, violently struggles and attempts to barricade himself in before being restrained and arrested
They restrain him and push him to the floor as he yells in pain.
Greater Manchester Police said: ‘A 51 year old man has been arrested following an incident in Bolton where officers were doused with petrol and a property was set alight.
‘As officers attempted to detain the suspect, he resisted arrest and threw a substance believed to be petrol over officers before dousing himself in the substance and threatening to set himself on fire.
‘As officers entered the property, the man continued to resist arrest and set fire to the doorway before attempting to barricade himself inside.
Police break into the house in while flames burst out of the front door and the man pours petrol out the window
‘The suspect was safely detained and arrested on suspicion of malicious communications, breach of a restraining order, arson with intent to endanger life and assault on an emergency services worker.’
He was detained after hospital treatment for smoke inhalation and minor injuries.
An officer was hospitalised and treated by an eye specialist for suspected chemical burns but has since been discharged before another assessment next week.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, of Greater Manchester Police, said: ‘This was a challenging situation which highlights the dangerous conditions our officers are often faced with when carrying out their duties to protect our community and those who are in need of our help.
An officer was hospitalised and treated by an eye specialist for suspected chemical burns but has since been discharged pending further assessment. Pictured: Officers outside the house
‘Every single day our officers are willing and prepared to do everything within their powers, including putting themselves in harm’s way, in order to protect our most vulnerable victims, including those of domestic violence.
‘I would like to commend the bravery of our officers and partners in this situation who managed to safely detain the suspect despite the challenges that were thrown in their direction.
‘One of our officers was taken to hospital with chemical burn injuries, and we are lucky that those injuries were not even more severe.
‘I only hope this footage that we are sharing today can give an insight to the public of the resilience and commitment of our officers to go the extra mile to protect vulnerable members of our communities.’