Woman sets herself on fire in McDonald’s toilet as police race to restaurant

Police raced to a McDonald’s in Bradford after a woman set herself on fire in the restaurant’s toilet.

The unknown victim was rushed to hospital with “significant injuries” after the incident at the McDonald’s on Ingleby Road at around 3.15pm yesterday.

West Yorkshire Police stayed at the restaurant for several hours after someone called to report their concerns about a woman at an undisclosed location. They carried out further enquiries which lead them to the McDonald’s, where they found the toilet area, with the woman inside it, ablaze. The fire was put out and the woman was rushed to hospital by ambulance.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police are in attendance at the McDonalds restaurant on Ingleby Road, Bradford, after a woman was found with significant injuries. A call was received at 3:15pm relating to a concern for safety for a woman at an undisclosed location. Following further enquiries, officers attended at the restaurant where a woman was found on fire in the toilet area. The fire was extinguished, and the woman taken to hospital by ambulance. Enquiries are ongoing but at this time there is nothing to suggest anyone else was involved in this incident.”

In October last year, a man died after setting himself alight outside a McDonald’s in Walton, Merseyside. Police and fire crews raced to the fast food branch in Walton just before 6am on October 20, 2023 and found a man in his 40s in need of urgent medical attention for serious burns. He was rushed to hospital and placed in intensive care, but sadly died some hours later.

Witnesses at the scene said the man “set himself on fire”, reports the Liverpool Echo, and detectives have confirmed they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

In a statement, Merseyside Police said: “We received a report of a concern for safety of a man in Walton this morning, Thursday 26 October. At around 5.50am it was reported a man, aged in his 40s, needed urgent medical attention for serious burns injuries.

“Emergency services attended and he has been taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition. An investigation is ongoing and a cordon remains in place at the scene.” Forensic officers were spotted taking pictures outside the restaurant, near the car park and the drive thru area. Officers were also seen talking to members of staff and taking witness statements.