Man who set self on fire released from UW job in August

Man who set self on fire released from UW job in August


UW students are praised for trying to help a 61-year-old former facilities employee who set himself on fire Thursday on campus. The man died despite the efforts of the students.
By Nick Perry and Will Mari

Seattle Times staff reporters

University of Washington students are being praised for trying to save the life of a 61-year-old man who doused himself in gasoline and set himself on fire Thursday in Red Square.

Despite the efforts of more than a half-dozen students who initially tried to beat down the flames with their clothes and later used fire extinguishers, the man — a former UW employee — died Thursday afternoon at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

"It really is phenomenal how people tried to help him out," said Ralph Robinson, an assistant UW Police Chief. "It says a lot about the caring community of the entire university. People reacted almost instantaneously, even though there was some danger to themselves."

Some new details about the man emerged Friday, although authorities have not released his name pending notification of his next of kin.
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University of Washington students tried to save man who set himself on fire

Former UW staffer dies after setting fire to self
A former University of Washington staff member died Thursday after dousing himself with gasoline and setting himself on fire in Red Square.

By Will Mari and Nick Perry

Seattle Times staff reporters


A former University of Washington staff member died Thursday after dousing himself with gasoline and setting himself on fire in Red Square.

The 61-year-old man, who was not named by officials pending notification of his next of kin, was a recent employee, according to UW assistant police Chief Ralph Robinson.

UW spokesman Norm Arkans said the man separated from the university over the summer, but declined to elaborate on the circumstances.

"We don't know why he did this," said Robinson. "There were no protests or demonstrations going on, so we don't think it was political. He wasn't in a fight as far as we know. We just don't know what drove him."
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