CTA Rider Sprays Liquid On Woman, Sets Fire On Train: Victim

CHICAGO, IL — A 26-year-old CTA Red Line rider was sprayed with an unidentified substance from a water bottle by another passenger, who then set the train car's seats on fire, during Thursday night rush hour, according to the Chicago Tribune. A CTA employee and a Chicago police officer were hurt in the incident and taken to hospitals for their injuries, which were minor, the report added.

The victim, who was not injured in the confrontation, took the harrowing experience in stride, telling the Tribune: "Hey, every Chicagoan needs a CTA story, and now I’ve got mine."

Both passengers were riding on a southbound Red Line train just after 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, when the man sitting across from the victim allegedly squirted her with an unknown liquid from his water bottle, the report stated. The victim told the Tribune the man said nothing before dousing her with a substance she said smelled like paint thinner.

After the alleged attack, the woman and other riders moved to another car once the train had reached the next station, the report stated. She contacted the conductor, who locked down all the cars except the one with the accused attacker in it once the train reached the Argyle Avenue Station in the Uptown neighborhood.

RELATED: Man Sets Bag Fire At Far North Side Red Line Station

By the time the train reached the station at 1118 W. Argyle Avenue, the man had allegedly begun setting fire to seats in the car he was in, the report stated. The conductor evacuated the train, and police arrived at the scene after receiving a call at about 5:20 p.m. about a man setting a book bag on fire, the report added.

Firefighters also responded to the incident and quickly extinguished the small blaze, the report stated. Police took the man accused of starting the fire into custody, but his name has not been released and it's not known what, if any, criminal charges he faces.

A CTA employee suffered smoke inhalation and was taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital, the report added. A police officer also was taken to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center for minor injuries, which did not stem from the fire, according to the Tribune.

WATCH: Chicago police respond to a call of a man setting a fire at the Argyle Avenue Station during rush Thursday, Jan. 18:

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