Woman buys lighter fluid before being set on fire while sleeping at strip mall

HOUSTON (FOX 26) - A woman is recovering after being set on fire while sleeping at a strip mall.

The incident happened in the 4200 block of Kirkwood, and police aren’t sure who did it. They are trying to figure out if someone set her on fire or if she did it herself.

You can still see where it happened. There are burned remnants of her clothing scattered about and black marks on the pavement.  Store clerk John Won says on Tuesday night, a woman came in and bought some charcoal lighter fluid.

"After she brought charcoal lighter fluid, after she left, about 20 minutes later, I heard crying,” he said.

He says he went outside and saw the woman on fire. He, a customer and a third person rushed to help. Police say she told investigators what happened.

"She said she was sleeping outside of a strip center when a suspect came up and poured something on her and lit her on fire. The female has been transported with serious burns," said Lt. Larry Crowson.

Video taken by security cameras from a church in the strip mall shows the victim walking with the lighter fluid in her hand and dragging a blanket. A little while later, you can see an orange glow coming from just out of the frame. That's the fire. It moves to the right as she runs in agony from the flames.  You don't see annoying approach her before the fire starts.

What you can also see is the good Samaritans rush to her aid. One of them is John Won, who extinguishes the fire.

"I take my jacket and do this," he pantomimes putting it over her. "She finished crying and said 'Thank you!'"

Arson investigators say they have not been able to talk to the woman.