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Police use own bodies to save man Police use own bodies to save man
(about 2 hours later)
Two firearms officers are in hospital after using their own bodies to smother flames engulfing a knife-wielding man who had set himself alight. Two police officers have been treated for burns after smothering flames with their own bodies when a knife-wielding man set himself alight.
A spokesman for Surrey Police said two unarmed officers were sent to a home in Cranleigh after reports of a man threatening to attack fellow residents. They had to fire a baton round at the man to stun him before trying to extinguish the fire.
The man then threatened to stab the officers before running into woodland with a can of petrol and a lighter. He had been cornered at his home in Cranleigh, Surrey, after police were sent to reports of a knife man threatening residents.
The firearms unit was called but he set himself ablaze as they approached. The man suffered minor burns and was arrested after leaving hospital.
Armed officers and dog units, supported by the police helicopter, had searched the area after the man had run off and found him at 2305 BST on Wednesday at the back of his house. 'Decisive action'
Without this quick-thinking and selfless act, it is certain he would have suffered much more serious injuries Chief Inspector Chris Shead Ch Insp Chris Shead said: "This man posed a significant threat to himself, other members of the public and police officers.
Firearms officers ordered the 23-year-old man, who was doused in petrol, to put down the knife and a lighter he was holding, but he set himself alight and started approaching the officers, the spokesman said.
Officers shot the man with a baton round to stun him before approaching and smothering the flames.
A baton round is a type of bullet used for non-lethal apprehension of suspects.
The 23 year old, who had not been named, was taken to the Royal Surrey County Hospital for treatment for burns injuries which were not believed to be life-threatening, the spokesman said.
The two firearms officers, who smothered the flames with their hands and bodies, were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns to their hands. They are expected to be discharged later on Thursday.
Chief Inspector Chris Shead said: "This man posed a significant threat to himself, other members of the public and police officers.
"By taking decisive action and discharging a baton round, the firearms officers were able to subdue him - stopping him from further harming himself or other people and allowing officers to quickly administer first aid."By taking decisive action and discharging a baton round, the firearms officers were able to subdue him - stopping him from further harming himself or other people and allowing officers to quickly administer first aid.
"Officers put themselves at significant risk to stop the fire spreading, putting out the man with their own bodies. Without this quick-thinking and selfless act, it is certain he would have suffered much more serious injuries.""Officers put themselves at significant risk to stop the fire spreading, putting out the man with their own bodies. Without this quick-thinking and selfless act, it is certain he would have suffered much more serious injuries."
The drama started when two unarmed officers investigated reports of a knife man near Horseshoe Lane.
They found a 23-year-old man who threatened to stab the officers and fled into woodland with petrol and a lighter.
Armed officers, dog units and the police helicopter were scrambled to search the area before a man was found doused in petrol at the back of his house just after 2300 BST.
He was ordered to put down his knife and lighter, but set himself on fire and approached the officers.
Separate review
The man was shot with a baton round - a bullet made of plastic and fired from a special single-shot launcher.
Two officers then smothered the flames with their hands and bodies before using an extinguisher in the surrounding area.
The officers were treated at the Royal Surrey County Hospital for smoke inhalation and minor burns to their hands, and were discharged.
An investigation into the incident is under way, and the force is also conducting a separate review into its use of firearms during the incident.An investigation into the incident is under way, and the force is also conducting a separate review into its use of firearms during the incident.
No arrests have been made.