PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
Wednesday night police sprung into action when a routine call turned into a man lighting himself on Fire.
"It was crazy, it was crazy," Will Washington watched it all happen.
For Washington and Plattsburgh police what was craziest was the source of the fire.
Police say 60 year old Daniel Burke was at his duplex trailer on Charles Way. On the other side of the duplex Washington says he was visiting a friend and heard loud noises. That's what originally brought police to the trailer in the first place.
When police arrived burke wouldn't respond then they noticed a glow coming from the trailer
"They breeched the door and made entry. smoke was billowing out. they made their way to his bedroom where they found him on fire in bed," LT. Patrick Rascoe said.
"They (police) ran around, came through here dragged him out brought him here he was laid out," Washington says, pointing to where it all happened.
Police smothered the flames and saved Burke but it wasn't the first time they had handled him that day. Earlier he was arrested for driving while intoxicated and in February he was charged with sex abuse of a child under 14.
Wednesday he was endangering people again. Luckily though not even the people next door were harmed.
"She was sleeping, I woke her up yo you gotta get up man let's go lets go there's a fire let's go," Washington said recalling the fire.
Police evacuated the area as homes were danged. Two officers were treated for smoke inhalation. But Burke bared the brunt of it.
"You could see his body was burned up," Washington said.
Burke was eventually transported to Fletcher Allen where he's being treated for first and second degree burns. Police say they're working with the district attorney on additional charges for burke when he's released.
