Man Catches Fire After Tasering

A man who was threatening to burn down a house suffered burns to his arms and upper body when police shot him with a taser. Police in the Western Australian capital of Perth resorted to the taser in an effort to arrest the 44-year-old after he had spread fuel throughout the house. The fuel ignited, causing burns to 20% of his body.

While police guidelines recommend against the use of tasers around flammable liquids, a police spokesman said they were left with little choice. "There was no doubt that the officers had reason to go into the house, threats to burn the house down were made and also the officer had been doused with petrol so there was an assault there," he said. " The Australian ABC report says an investigation has been launched into the incident. (More Perth stories.)