Crime & Safety

Intoxicated Man Lights Himself on Fire, Police Say

Man suffered second- and third-degree burns after acting erratically in the 100 block of West North Street Monday night, according to Waukesha police records.

A man received second- and third-degree burns after lighting his chest on fire at 10:23 p.m. Monday in the 100 block of West North Street, according to Waukesha police records.

The man was extremely intoxicated and had fallen asleep after lighting a cigarette, according to Capt. Ron Oremus.

"His cigarette landed on him and started his clothes smoldering and he was so drunk he didn’t notice," Oremus said in an email. "The neighbor came in to check on the smell of smoke and saw the smoldering clothes."

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The man woke up, fell over, hit his head and passed out, according to Oremus. While the fire incident was not a suicide attempt, the man was taken into protective custody.  

The man was conscious and breathing, however, he was not alert when police responded. Waukesha firefighters told police the man had second- and third-degree burns on most of his chest.

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