Police: NJ man who set himself on fire faces arson charge

BERLIN, N.J. (AP) - A man who allegedly set himself on fire as police tried to arrest him a southern New Jersey home last week has been charged with arson and other counts.

Camden County authorities say Karl Ireland was violating a restraining order that barred him from the Berlin home. When police arrived, they found the 47-year-old Berlin man in the rear yard near a shed and ordered him to "show his hands."

Authorities say Ireland instead poured gasoline on his head and somehow ignited a fire. An officer used a stun gun to force Ireland to the ground so they could extinguish the blaze and administer first aid.

Ireland remains hospitalized, but further details on his injuries and his condition were not disclosed. It wasn't known Wednesday if he's retained an attorney.