A routine Monday night commute turned terrifying in Chicago’s Loop when a 26-year-old woman was set on fire aboard a CTA Blue Line train near the Clark & Lake station. Police say the woman got into a brief argument with a man before he poured a flammable liquid on her and ignited it, according to ABC News. The attacker fled as soon as the train stopped, leaving bystanders in shock.
Firefighters and paramedics rushed in, extinguishing the flames and taking the woman to Stroger Hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Police are investigating the case as arson, and a person of interest is now in custody.
The attack has raised serious concerns about safety on public transit — a place millions rely on daily. For many Chicagoans, this incident is a disturbing reminder of how vulnerable passengers can be and how urgently the city needs stronger protections and mental-health resources.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on justice for the victim and finding ways to prevent such violence from happening again.
