New York man set on fire on subway, 1 person in custody: NYPD

NEW YORK (PIX11) — An attacker is now in custody after allegedly setting a man on fire while he rode the subway in Manhattan Saturday afternoon, according to the New York Police Department.

The incident occurred at the Houston Street No. 1 subway station at 2:47 p.m. Police said the 48-year-old attacker threw a flammable substance at a 23-year-old victim who was riding the subway.

Witnesses told police the attacker was seen holding a flammable substance in a cup before throwing it at the victim. The victim suffered burns to his upper torso. Paramedics rushed him to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries, police said.

The attacker tried to flee on foot. Sources tell PIX11 News that as the attacker tried to run away, a woman dropped her cell phone. The 48-year-old attacker grabbed the phone and took it with him when he fled.

The criminal was then arrested near Canal Street and Renwick Street using the Find My iPhone app on the woman's phone, police sources said.