A 52-year-old man was arrested and charged after he set himself on fire inside a moving CTA train Friday morning.
Jesus Martinez of northwest suburban Northlake was charged with felony arson and criminal damage of government property, Chicago police said Sunday.
Martinez allegedly intentionally set fire to his belongings on a train near the elevated Damen stop, 1558 N. Damen Ave., in the Wicker Park neighborhood. Before it was extinguished, the small fire burned his legs, according to police.
No other injuries were reported due to the incident.
Martinez suffered second-degree burns and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was in good condition, according to the Chicago Fire Department.
Arson detectives with CPD and agents with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) responded to the scene. Martinez was arrested by the ATF, police said.
During the investigation, all trains were being boarded on the O’Hare-bound side between Western and Damen, CTA said in an alert.
Martinez was scheduled to make his first court appearance on Sunday.
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