Man dies after setting himself alight in Glasgow

A MAN doused himself in petrol, called his family threatening to take his own life, set himself alight and later died from his injuries, it emerged yesterday.

Picture: Julie Bull

The incident in Glasgow followed a domestic assault, although full details of the man’s motives remain unclear.

Police officers were alerted and as they searched for the man after he made several phone calls to his family, telling them that he intended to take his own life by setting himself on fire at the family home.

When police arrived at the address, the unnamed man ignited the petrol and his body was engulfed in flames.

Officers tried to rescue him but he died from his injuries two days later in hospital.

Details of the death in the Barmulloch area of Glasgow on 25 May were revealed yesterday in a report into the incident by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc), Professor John McNeill.

In his report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Prof McNeill said police acted professionally and could have done no more to save him.

Police Scotland also praised the officers’ efforts, saying they disregarded their own safety in trying to help him.

The Crown Office instructed Pirc to carry out an independent investigation into the incident because the man had had contact with the police.

The Crown Office has now said there will be no further proceedings or a fatal accident inquiry.

Prof McNeill said: “I am satisfied that the police officers acted in a professional and appropriate manner.

“They took all steps in an attempt to preserve life and prevent the man from harming himself.

“Furthermore, despite danger to themselves they provided immediate first aid whilst controlling and managing the scene effectively, which allowed unrestricted access to other emergency services.

“In the circumstances there was no more they could have done.”

Pirc was formed with the creation of Police Scotland in April, taking over from the former Police Complaints

Commissioner for Scotland (PCCS), and expanded to include investigations into the most serious incidents involving officers.

That includes any deaths involving police contact.

Neither Pirc or Police Scotland elaborated on the background to the death in Barmulloch. However, Pirc investigators have interviewed the man’s family and friends, carried out house-to-house inquiries and traced the man’s movements following the domestic assault to the time he set himself on fire.

They also traced and interviewed all fire service and medical staff involved, obtained statements from police officers, viewed CCTV footage, listened to audio recordings and visited the scene.

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “The officers showed bravery and disregard for their own safety in an attempt to save a man’s life.”