A man accidentally set himself on fire while trying to torch a car in Walthamstow, footage circulating on social media has shown.
The video captures the man appearing calm as he approaches what appears to be a Cupra Formentor SUV, carrying a jerry can and a cigarette lighter.
Despite the car alarm blaring, he douses the rear of the vehicle in liquid before igniting it.
Moments later, a huge explosion erupts, engulfing the car in flames. As the fire takes hold, the man is seen fleeing the scene—his top also ablaze.
He was later seen escaping on a bike.
Man sets someone's car on fire with a jerry can and lighter, almost setting himself on fire in the process (Walthamstow) pic.twitter.com/a2oQa53Fwz
— UB1UB2 West London (Southall) (@UB1UB2) February 16, 2025
It remains unclear which road in the north-east London town the incident took place.
A timestamp on the CCTV footage, shared on Twitter, indicates the fire was started at around 1.40am on Friday.
“Man sets someone's car on fire with a jerry can and lighter, almost setting himself on fire in the process (Walthamstow),” an accompanying note on Twitter read.
The incident was the same night that 140 firefighters were called to Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone.
Around 100 people needed to be evacuated after a blaze ripped through.
