Woman set on fire in L.A. as she sleeps on bench

Thursday, December 27, 2012

photo A burned city bus bench is seen in the Van Nuys section of Los Angeles on Thursday after police arrested a man for allegedly setting a 67-year-old woman on fire who was sleeping on the bus stop bench.

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles police have arrested a man for allegedly setting a 67-year-old woman on fire as she was sleeping on a bus bench.

Authorities say the man, who is in his 20s, was arrested early Thursday. His name was not immediately released.

Police say the attack occurred shortly after 1 a.m. outside a drug store. A witness said he saw a man come out of the store and pour something on the woman before striking a match and setting her ablaze.

The woman, who may be homeless, was taken to a hospital and listed in critical condition.

Last week, a 55-year-old man was set on fire as he slept outside a doughnut shop in southern Los Angeles County. No one has been arrested.