Tasered man ignites

LANCASTER, Ohio (AP) — Police in Ohio say officers using a new Taser stun gun briefly set a homeless man on fire while trying to subdue him.

A police report in Lancaster, about 30 miles southeast of Columbus, says one officer had seen the man inhaling a chemical from an aerosol can Monday night. That officer and another then struggled with the suspect, and the Taser was used. A flame appeared on the man’s chest, and officers patted it down.

Police Chief David Bailey says 31-year-old Daniel Wood was not seriously hurt.

The department’s policy warns against using Tasers when flammable chemicals may be present. Bailey says officers acted appropriately.

Wood was charged with abusing harmful intoxicants and other counts.