Burning man seen near scene of suspected arson

GARDAÍ are treating as arson a house fire which took place at a time that a man engulfed in flames was spotted nearby.

The man was seen running down the street where the blazing house was located at Stephen McDonagh Place in Sligo town.

Locals reported seeing the man on fire and in great distress as he ran down the road shortly after 9.30pm last Friday night.

He ignored offers of assistance while running from the scene.

The owner of the house, who was not at home at the time, said he was “leaving the northside (of the town) for good” after the fire gutted his home.

Chris Kelly said the town was becoming “too violent”, adding he had lost everything in the fire.

“I am thinking of leaving the town for good. I came back to the house shortly before 10pm Friday night and saw the smoke coming from my windows.

“I went into shock as I couldn’t believe what was happening. I spent €6,000 making this house into a real home and it is heart-breaking. There are some personal items which are of great sentimental value.”

He added he was sorry to hear one of his neighbours had to be brought to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

A garda spokesman said that officers were investigating the fire.

“We have taken a number of statements from people in the area,” the spokesman said.

He said the Fire Brigade had been called to the scene around 9.30pm.

Petrol was found at the scene of the blaze.

A neighbour said the burning man was spotted by several people in the area.

The man suffered third-degree burns and is recovering in Galway University Hospital.

“He ran past a number of people and looked a sorry sight. One of them asked him to roll on the ground to try and put out the flames,” the witness said.