The Region : Officers Save Burn Victim

A Fresno man was doused with a flammable liquid and set ablaze on a street in Long Beach, but was saved by police officers who doused him with extinguisher fluid. Detective Tim Cable said Pat Thomas, 34, was engulfed in flames and calling for help when two police officers arrived. Thomas was taken to St. Mary Medical Center and then airlifted to the burn ward at County-USC Medical Center, where he was reported in critical condition with third-degree burns over 70% of his body. Cable said the initial investigation indicated that Thomas was abducted by two unidentified males, driven to an alley, beaten, bound and set on fire. It was not known if the victim knew his assailants, Cable said, and there appeared to be no motive for the crime.