NYC Local News: Homeless Man Set on Fire Near Times Square. Did He Do It to Himself or Another Horrifying Attack?

Homeless Man Caught Fire on Subway Near Times Square: Investigation Underway 

Manhattan Voice 

December 1, 2025

NYC LOCAL NEWS - Early Monday morning, a bizarre and alarming incident unfolded on the subway near Times Square. A homeless man, who had been sleeping aboard an uptown 3 train, suddenly burst into flames while traveling through Midtown. 

The fire broke out just after 3 a.m., leaving both commuters and transit workers in a state of shock. The man survived and is now in stable condition, but authorities are still trying to figure out how exactly the fire started.

Here’s what we know so far. The man, who was apparently sleeping on the train, woke up to find himself engulfed in flames. He quickly exited the train at the Times Square stop, disoriented but conscious. Seeking help, he flagged down a transit worker, who immediately called for police assistance.

When officers arrived, they found the man in distress but alive. He was rushed to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where doctors stabilized him. 

His injuries were not life-threatening, though the specifics of his burns are still unclear.

Initially, police were concerned that the man had been the victim of an attack—possibly someone deliberately setting him on fire. That theory would not be far-fetched, considering the rising number of subway-related incidents in recent years. But after further investigation, authorities are now leaning toward a different possibility: the man may have accidentally set himself on fire.

The exact cause is still under investigation, and no conclusions have been made yet. Could it have been a flammable item on his clothing or a mishap with something in his possession? 

This disturbing event has drawn attention because it comes just a year after a chillingly similar case. In that incident, a 57-year-old homeless woman was intentionally set on fire while aboard a subway train in Coney Island. The man accused of that crime, Sebastian Zapeta, is facing charges of murder and arson. He has pleaded not guilty.

The similarity between the two cases raises larger questions about safety on the subway and the vulnerability of homeless individuals, who often have no choice but to seek shelter in public spaces, including the subway.

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