Independent probe after man sets himself ablaze in Vancouver restaurant

VANCOUVER – A man who splashed gasoline over himself at an east Vancouver fast food restaurant is in hospital with serious burns and independent investigators are examining how police handled the situation.

A news release from Vancouver police says the man, in his 30s, was carrying a gas can when he entered the restaurant just after 9 p.m. Thursday and threatened to harm himself.

Officers and firefighters responded, but police say negotiations were unsuccessful.

They say he ignited the gas he had spilled over himself and part of the restaurant.

Police say the man was subdued by non-lethal ammunition and firefighters used water to put out the flames.

The Independent Investigations Office, the organization that probes all police-involved cases of death or serious injury, has taken over the case.