Authorities say a man is in critical condition Tuesday after he tried to set his wife on fire, but burned himself instead.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies said that Matthew Wong, 50, chased his newly separated wife of 25 years with two bottles of gasoline.
Wong got the gasoline on himself when he attempted to throw it on her, according to authorities.
Wong's wife took refuge inside of a neighbor’s apartment, but Wong poured the gasoline on the apartment’s entrance, deputies said. When he lit the entryway on fire, the flame engulfed him.
Police say neighbors put the fire out with an extinguisher and a blanket and saved Wong. He was taken to Tampa General Hospital’s Burn Center where he was listed in critical condition.
When police searched Wong’s car, they found that the side and back windows were covered and taped shut with garbage bags and blankets. Authorities also found gasoline, gloves and tape inside the car.
His wife was not injured in the incident.
