Courts & Crime

Woman sets self on fire in crowded Miami shopping mall

Jennifer Lebovich, Laura Morales and Kathleen McGrory - Miami Herald

August 13, 2009 06:49 PM

This photo taken from a cellular phone shows a woman, who set herself on fire at the Mall of the America in Miami, Florida.
This photo taken from a cellular phone shows a woman, who set herself on fire at the Mall of the America in Miami, Florida. Miami Herald / MCT
This photo taken from a cellular phone shows a woman, who set herself on fire at the Mall of the America in Miami, Florida. Miami Herald / MCT

A woman who lit herself on fire inside the Mall of the Americas was in critical condition Thursday evening, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said.

Police officials believe she tried to commit suicide.

The scene, which unfolded just after 3 p.m. outside of the Savage Boutique shop, left mall-goers shocked.

"She looked like a human torch, on fire from head to toe," said Santiago Castro, who manages a travel agency inside the mall.

The woman, 43, was not identified by police. Witnesses said she doused herself in a flammable liquid before lighting the fire. She then walked around the mall calmly and quietly.

Read the complete story at miamiherald.com

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