Chicago – A 26-year-old woman is currently in critical condition after being set on fire while riding the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Blue Line, police confirmed.
The incident occurred around 9:25 pm on Monday near the Clark/Lake station. According to authorities, the woman became involved in an argument with an approximately 45-year-old man, which escalated into a physical altercation.
During the confrontation, the suspect reportedly poured an unknown fluid over the woman before igniting it.
The suspect fled the scene as the train came to a stop. The victim stumbled from the train and fell to the ground, where bystanders managed to extinguish the flames before police arrived.
She was then rushed to Stroger Hospital, where she is being treated for severe burns.
Speaking to Fox 32, one witness described the scene, “Just seeing her lying on the ground, and she was kind of hyperventilating and in a lot of pain. You could tell she was in really bad shape. All the medics were down there, and there was a big turnout as far as responders and so forth.”
The attack has sparked outrage among CTA riders and community advocates, highlighting growing concerns over violence on public transit. Alex Butler, a frequent train user, said:
“It was concerning. I take public transit to work, but concerning to think somebody had lighter fluid on them to douse and light them on fire.”
Authorities continue to investigate the incident and are seeking information about the suspect.