4 Kaysville officers injured assisting man who lit himself on fire
First responders examine the scene where four police officers and one man were injured when the man set himself on fire at a Kaysville gas station on Thursday, April 5, 2018. No fatalities were reported, but all five people were taken to hospitals according to Kaysville Police Chief Sol Oberg.
Kaysville Police Chief Sol Oberg talks with the media about an incident where four police officers and one man were injured when the man set himself on fire at a Kaysville gas station on Thursday, April 5, 2018. No fatalities were reported, but all five people were taken to hospitals.
First responders examine the scene where four police officers and one man were injured when the man set himself on fire at a Kaysville gas station on Thursday, April 5, 2018. No fatalities were reported, but all five people were taken to hospitals, according to Kaysville Police Chief Sol Oberg.
Kaysville Police Chief Sol Oberg talks with the media about an incident where four police officers and one man were injured when the man set himself on fire at a Kaysville gas station on Thursday, April 5, 2018. No fatalities were reported, but all five people were taken to hospitals.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the latest information provided by police.
KAYSVILLE — Four police officers were injured trying to help a man who set himself on fire in a Kaysville gas station Thursday afternoon.
Just before 2 p.m., Davis County Dispatch received a call that a man poured gasoline on himself in the bathroom of the Chevron gas station at 321 W. 200 North.
Police were sent to the scene and tried to remove a lighter from the man’s hand when he ignited the gasoline, according to a press release from the Kaysville Police Department.
Four Kaysville officers were injured while trying to extinguish the fire, and all were taken to local hospitals by ambulance, the release says.
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The man who set himself on fire was still alive and was taken to the University of Utah Hospital, according to a Facebook post by Kaysville City. Police didn’t know who he was or why he was in the area.
One officer received burns on the back and legs, and another had burns on the inside of the mouth, Kaysville Police Chief Sol Oberg said.
Another was taken to the hospital because police were “concerned” with their condition.
All but one of the officers have been released from the hospital as of 7:30 p.m., according to a Facebook post from Kaysville City. The officer who dealt directly with the man on fire will be hospitalized for 10 days. The officer is expected to make a full recovery, the city said.
Oberg said having so many officers injured in the line of duty is “heartbreaking.”
“There’s a lot of pride in seeing what they’ve done, that there was no hesitation in going in to try and save this individual, as well as the other occupants of the store in what literally could’ve been an explosive situation,” Oberg said. “It’s a mixed bag of emotions.”
Sending prayers to the injured officers, their families and to our brothers and sisters at Kaysville PD.
— Utah Public Safety (@UtahDPS) April 5, 2018
Several area law enforcement agencies expressed their support for the Kaysville officers on Twitter.
Related: Utah’s first responders share best wishes for injured Kaysville Police officers
Kaysville Police is investigating the incident and is being assisted by other law enforcement agencies.
NEED HELP?
Those thinking of harming themselves have several resources available:
Davis Behavioral Health 24-Hour Crisis Response Line, 801-773-7060
National Suicide Prevention Hotline, 1-800-273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness Utah, 801-323-9900
Family Counseling Service of Northern Utah, 801-399-1600
Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital Behavioral Health, 801-387-5600
Davis Hospital: Behavioral Health Unit and Emergency Room, 801-807-1000
Lakeview Hospital: Behavioral Health Unit and Emergency Room, 801-299-2200
Live Hannah’s Hope: Empowering Youth National Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741-741 to be able to text with a trained crisis counselor.
Weber Human Services 801-625-3700
Reach digital producer Jessica Kokesh at 801-625-4229 or jkokesh@standard.net. You can also follow her on Twitter at @JessicaKokesh or Facebook.com/ByJessKokesh.
