SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Residents of Negril were sent scampering on Thursday after a man was set ablaze by a woman who is believed to be mentally ill.

Identified only by his alias Duppy, the man’s clothes were completely burnt from his body. He suffered burns to his lower back.

Eyewitnesses said the woman poured gasoline on the man and used a lighter to set him ablaze.

The incident, which took place at Taits Plaza, left pedestrians fearful the fire would spread to motorcycles parked nearby, which could have resulted in an explosion.

The fire department was alerted, however, and danger was averted.

An ambulance transported the injured man to hospital.

The woman’s actions were roundly condemned.

“She wicked, she is a wicked woman. Mi have bredda and sista. Mi feel it, man,” one man said angrily.

An employee of Royale Delytes Cafè, located on the plaza where the incident occurred, who gave her name as Kameika, told the Jamaica Observer the woman had earlier tried to attack her and others.

“God know mi frighten. She grab [at] mi and nuh ketch mi, so she set the [poker] box pan fire,” she said.

Her co-worker, who opted not to provide a name, said the woman entered the café and asked for a patty and a drink. She had no money, and a tourist gave her enough for a patty, which she bought. She later returned and demanded a drink. After her request was denied she left, then returned and declared her intention to start a fire.

“She come in here with gas in a jug and she have a lighter. She say she a go light the place a fire. By di time mi tell har say mi a go call di police, mi hear mi next co-worker say see she light a man a fire,” the café employee said.

She said the woman ran from the scene after setting the man ablaze, but was later seen passing on a motorcycle.

There are unconfirmed reports that her father had been fatally shot last week and that may have left her unsettled.

There have been numerous cases, over recent years, of people being attacked by mentally ill individuals, usually followed by calls for action by the police and mental health professionals.

Under the Force Order publication, the police are required to respond promptly to reports regarding mentally ill people — whether they are at home or in the streets, and whether or not they already committed an offence.

If the mentally ill person is violent or is posing a threat the police should first respond and secure the location then make a call to the Community Mental Health Crisis Team (CMHCT).

The police should evacuate and secure individuals and property if necessary, and also provide security and remain on the scene until the CMHCT arrives.

Upon the arrival of the CMHCT the police should hand over the situation to them, but maintain the desired level of security for the safety of all concerned.

The CMHCT will engage the mentally challenged person verbally to neutralise the threat, but, if that fails, the CMHCT and police will use appropriate tactics to subdue or apprehend the person.