Man set on fire during possible robbery in Van Nuys

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Police have no suspects in an attack in Van Nuys in which a man was doused with lighter fluid and set on fire, two miles from where a homeless woman was set on fire in December while sleeping on a bus bench, they said.

The recent attack occurred about 6:30 a.m. Monday near the corner of Calvert Street and Ranchito Avenue, KTLA-TV reported.

“His shirt was off. He ripped everything off and threw it on the ground. It was still on fire in the street,” witness Bob Efford told the TV station. “Then we get out, we put a blanket on him, try to calm him down. He knew what was going on. He was in a lot of pain.”

The man received burns to his neck, face and hands. He is expected to survive.

Investigators say they have no clear motive for the attack but believe it could have happened during a robbery attempt.

Neighbors say that the man had been to a 7-Eleven at Oxnard Street and Hazeltine Avenue to buy cigarettes and was on his way home when he was attacked.

The attack occurred just two miles from where a homeless woman was set on fire while sleeping on a bus bench in December. The suspect in that case has pleaded not guilty.

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-- From a Times staff writer