Originally published January 31, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified February 1, 2007 at 12:31 AM

Man arrested for setting 3 on fire in downtown Seattle

A 50-year-old Seattle man who police say doused three strangers with lighter fluid and set them on fire in downtown Seattle was arrested this afternoon for investigation of assault.

By Jennifer Sullivan

Seattle Times staff reporter

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THOMAS JAMES HURST / THE SEATTLE TIMES

Gus Jones, 82, of Seattle used his cane to fight off a 50-year-old man who police say doused three strangers with lighter fluid and set them on fire. Jones was one of those doused, but with a quick smack of his cane against the assailants head, Jones was not ignited. Jones is a veteran of World War II.

A 50-year-old Seattle man who police say doused three strangers with lighter fluid and set them on fire in downtown Seattle was arrested this afternoon for investigation of assault.

The man, whose identity hasn't been released, was walking near Third Avenue and Union Street when he threw the flammable liquid on the strangers, said Seattle police spokeswoman Debra Brown.

Surprisingly the victims, a 82-year-old man and two women, ages 41 and 35, weren't seriously hurt, Brown said.

"Someone threw lighter fluid all on my back and I had to rap them with my cane," said Gus Jones, 82, of Seattle. "I was on my way to the post office."

Jones said the man never set him on fire but he watched as the man lit the other two victims on fire. He said the flames were put out quickly.

Seattle fire spokeswoman Helen Fitzpatrick said none of the victims were transported to the hospital by medics.

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