A dramatic lovers’ spat in Washington Heights took a fiery turn early Tuesday morning, landing a man in the hospital with serious burns after he set himself and a car ablaze, according to police and sources.
Authorities were alerted to the incident just after 12:30 a.m. following a 911 call reporting a vehicle engulfed in flames at West 177th Street and Cabrini Boulevard, police confirmed.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze, while emergency medical services transported the 27-year-old man, who remains unidentified, to Harlem Hospital. He sustained burns on various parts of his body but is currently stable, officials stated.
The man’s 27-year-old companion was also taken to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital to treat burns on her hands.
According to law enforcement sources, the couple’s argument escalated, leading the man to ignite the fire that ultimately engulfed the car and caused his severe injuries. The woman attempted to put out the flames during the chaos.
Photos from the scene reveal the charred vehicle double-parked and the injured duo being loaded into ambulances, while bystanders watched the unusual spectacle unfold.
It was unclear what sparked the spat.
No arrests have been made in the incident and both burn victims are recovering.
