Man sets fire to UK Muslim’s dress on NYC’s Fifth Avenue
2016-09-13
A British woman’s traditional Muslim clothing was set on fire on Fifth Avenue, New York police have said.
The woman, who had been staying in a Manhattan hotel, was returning from sightseeing when she felt a warm spot on her arm, an officer told the BBC.
She turned and saw her arm on fire and a man with a cigarette lighter. She was able to pat out the fire with her hands and did not suffer any injury.
The attack at the weekend is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
A police source confirmed to the BBC the woman is Scottish but would not confirm local reports she is a dentist from Glasgow.
The woman was left with a hole the size of a 25-cent coin (about the size of a 2p-coin) on her sleeve, police said.
They have footage of a man they suspect of the crime and are appealing for witnesses.
