A homeless man suffered serious burn injuries early Monday after being set on fire aboard a subway train at Penn Station in Midtown, according to the New York City Police Department.
Police said the incident occurred at approximately 3 a.m. on a northbound 3 train.
The victim was asleep when a suspect entered the subway car as it arrived at the 34th Street–Penn Station stop.
According to investigators, the suspect walked into the car, lit the victim’s pants on fire, and then exited the train before fleeing the station.
Officers at the scene extinguished the flames using water.
Emergency personnel transported the victim to New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he was treated for burn injuries to his legs.
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Officials described the burns as significant but not life-threatening.
Authorities are working to determine how the fire was ignited.
Homeless man had his pants set on fire early Monday morning at the Times Square subway station.
Thankfully, the victim is stable. But the assailant fled and is wanted.
Gov. Hochul lied when she said the NYC subways were safe.
Send in the National Guard.pic.twitter.com/Jmtk4rq6Oh
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) December 1, 2025
Police said the victim has provided conflicting accounts of the incident and has not fully cooperated with investigators, according to information reported by the New York Daily News.
It is not yet confirmed whether the suspect had been riding the same train prior to the incident.
The NYPD released a description of the suspect, who was last seen wearing a gray jacket, black hat, and black pants.
He was described as having darker skin.
Law enforcement officials are asking anyone with information to contact police or submit tips through the Crime Stoppers program.
The incident adds to a series of violent episodes involving fire on public transit systems in major cities.
In 2023, a 57-year-old homeless woman in Brooklyn died after being set on fire.
A 33-year-old suspect in that case pleaded not guilty in January to charges of murder and arson.
Last month, authorities in Chicago reported a similar attack in which a woman was set on fire aboard a train.
Police there said the suspect had a lengthy criminal history, with more than 70 prior arrests over a span of three decades.
NEW: The Chicago man accused of lighting a young woman on fire on a Blue Line train had previously been arrested at least 72 times.
72 times…
50-year-old Lawrence Reed is accused of intentionally lighting the woman on fire with gasoline and a lighter.
Judge Laura McNally… pic.twitter.com/kqVm8K3x7L
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) November 21, 2025
As of Monday, the NYPD had not released additional details regarding a possible motive or the current status of the search for the suspect in the Penn Station case.
