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Man sought for questioning after subway rider set on fire in NYC, police say

By
Renee Anderson
Digital Producer, CBS New York
Renee Anderson is a digital producer at CBS New York, where she covers breaking news and other local stories. Before joining the team in 2016, Renee worked at WMUR-TV.
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Renee Anderson

/ CBS New York

The New York City Police Department says a man was set on fire earlier this week on board a subway car in Manhattan, and police have shared new images of a person sought for questioning.

The fire was reported shortly after 3 a.m. Monday on a northbound 3 train in Midtown.

Investigators initially said the 56-year-old victim's story kept changing and they were at first unsure whether he accidentally caught fire or was intentionally set ablaze. However, police confirmed Wednesday he was in fact set on fire.

Police said victim, who is believed to be homeless, was asleep on the train when the doors opened at the 34th Street-Penn Station stop.

A suspect briefly stepped onto the train and set the man on fire before exiting the car, police said.

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The NYPD says a man is sought for questioning after a subway rider was set on fire Monday, Dec. 1 in Manhattan. NYPD

The victim remained on the train as it pulled into the 42nd Street-Times Square station, where an MTA worker flagged down police. 

He was taken to New York-Presbyterian/Weil Cornell Medical Center to be treated for significant burn injuries. 

Police said the suspect fled onto a northbound 3 train.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) for Spanish. You can also submit a tip . All calls are kept confidential. 

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