Shoppers were left horrified when a young woman set herself on fire outside a supermarket in Swindon after afternoon (Friday).
Emergency services raced to reports of the 22-year-old suffering a mental health episode at the Orbital Shopping Park at around 2pm.
Police officers were reportedly seen chasing the woman – who its claimed has injuries – before she set herself on fire outside Asda.
The incident sparked a significant 999 response, with Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance sent to the scene alongside armed officers and two fire crews.
One witness, who was with her young child, told Wiltshire 999s that it was ‘horrible to witness’.
‘I had my 6 year old with me at the time but was able to shield her eyes. I hope they get the help they need’, she said.
Adding: ‘They wasn’t on fire to long although the flames went up big and fast. The emergency services were so quick to respond.’
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “At around 2pm today (09/01), officers and our partners in the Fire and Ambulances services responded to a mental health-related incident at the Orbital Shopping Centre, Swindon.
“A woman in her 20s has been taken to hospital to be treated for injuries to her legs which are not thought to be life-changing.
“A scene was put in place but has now been lifted. There was no risk to the wider public.”
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 14:47hrs on Friday 09 January to an incident in Swindon.
“We sent one double-crewed land ambulance, an air ambulance, an operations officer and a first responder to the scene.
“We conveyed one patient by land ambulance to Great Western Hospital.”
