Los Angeles police say a man who became engulfed in flames during a Halloween carnival Thursday and later died may have accidentally set himself on fire while trying to light a cigarette.
Video posted to YouTube shows Gilbert Estrada, 51, flailing as his body becomes a giant fireball. Partiers at West Hollywood’s annual Halloween carnival don’t seem to understand the magnitude of what’s happening, and some even continue to dance.
“That motherf****r’s crazy,” one bystander is heard saying.
“The f*** you doing, you dumb motherf*****?” another says.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Det. Richard Biddle told The Los Angeles Times that a witness saw Estrada, who was dressed as a military sniper, accidentally ignite the hood of his costume with a cigarette lighter. When Estrada pulled the hood off, the flames spread to his back and then engulfed his entire body.
Festival attendee Derek Easley told the Times Estrada was fully engulfed in flames “like a torch.”
Others threw Estrada to the ground to put the fire out, including Easley, who said he wrapped his jacket around his hands to beat the flames out. The video shows Estrada’s unmoving body and the burning embers of his clothing. Estrada’s brother said he sustained severe burns to his upper body, including his face.
“So many people were drunk and partying,” Easley told the Times. “People were chanting, clapping, filming and taking pictures like it was some kind of cool, funny thing and not realizing it was a guy who was suffering in a really bad condition.”
Watch the video posted to YouTube below. Content warning: graphic images and strong language.
Estrada was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead Friday. An online campaign has been set up to help cover funeral costs.
Source: The Blaze
