Man prays in Cebu historical site, then burns self

CEBU CITY, Philippines—A still unidentified man set himself on fire on Thursday a few minutes after he prayed inside the Magellan’s Cross, a famous historical and religious site in this city.

Brian Felisilda, a city hall employee, said he was at Plaza Sugbo, near Magellan’s Cross, checking on parked vehicles when he saw fire at the Magellan’s Cross past 7 a.m.

Fearing that the whole structure would be burned, Felisilda ran to city hall to get a fire extinguisher and rushed to the Magellan’s Cross where he saw a man on fire lying face down on the floor.

Felisilda said he trained the fire extinguisher on the man. He said he cordoned the area off until members of the city’s Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation arrived.

The man, described to be in his 50s, was taken to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC).

Dr. Rose Villero, of CCMC, said the man suffered second degree burns and is in critical condition.

A lighter was found near him. The man had been seen praying before he lit himself up.