Elderly Man Dies After Setting Himself on Fire Inside São Paulo Subway Station (Video)

A homeless man set himself on fire in a metro station in Brazil

A 74-year-old man died after setting himself on fire in a crowded subway station in downtown São Paulo, Brazil, in a shocking incident caught on video. The act occurred at the São Bento station on Line 1-Blue on the morning of Friday, May 30, and left commuters in disbelief as the man walked the platform engulfed in flames.

Authorities reported that the man consumed a flammable liquid before dousing himself with it and igniting his clothing. Graphic footage from the scene showed him ablaze, staggering down the platform as horrified passengers looked on. He did not cry out for help, according to witnesses, and appeared to walk calmly with his arms outstretched.

People tried to extinguish the fire

Subway security personnel and bystanders quickly intervened, using fire extinguishers to douse the flames. The São Paulo Fire Department and paramedics arrived shortly after, providing emergency care before transporting the man to São Paulo Hospital.

Despite medical efforts, the man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead just after 8 p.m. local time. Hospital staff reported that he appeared disoriented and agitated during treatment.

One of the eyewitnesses, Wellington Castello, described the scene as surreal and deeply disturbing. He initially believed it was a performance or stunt before realizing the severity of the situation. “He wasn’t screaming, he was just walking with his hands open. At first, I thought it was some kind of magic. Then I saw it was a person on fire,” Castello said. He and two others grabbed extinguishers to put out the flames, but said the fire persisted for several seconds before they managed to subdue it.

A bystander captured the aftermath on video, showing the severely burned man standing silently as someone approached and asked, “My God in heaven, what is this? My God, why would you do this?”

Authorities have not released the man’s identity, and it remains unclear what prompted the tragic act. Officials are reviewing surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses to gather more information.

The São Paulo subway system continued operations after a temporary suspension at the station while emergency responders cleared the scene and conducted an investigation.

The man was burning like a firewood