Boy, 4, dies after mother is doused in flammable liquid

A four-year-old boy died from burns in Los Angeles after his father allegedly doused his mother in a flammable liquid and set her on fire.

The boy, whose name was withheld, suffered third-degree burns on 73% of his body on Monday night, Police Captain Charlie Beck said.

The boy died yesterday at Torrance Memorial Medical Centre, said spokeswoman Ann O’Brien.

The boy’s father, Dwayne West, 29, had been arrested for investigation of attempted murder yesterday afternoon, before the boy died.

The 32-year-old mother, whose name was also withheld, had facial burns and was treated and released from Granada Hills Community Hospital.

Police said the fire was started by West after he went to the the mother’s home to discuss his failure to make child support payments.

‘‘During the assault, West poured a flammable liquid on her and set the mother on fire,’’ Beck said.

Flames spread to a bed where the boy lay. His mother ran from the home and a neighbour, seeing smoke, rescued the boy, Beck said.

Police said West fled but was captured shortly afterward when he called the police emergency number and was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries.