A man is fighting for his life after setting himself on fire Friday morning near the CTA Blue Line station in Wicker Park, officials confirmed.
The incident occurred at or near the Damen Avenue stop on the city’s Northwest Side.
The Chicago Fire Department (CFD) responded to the scene and transported the man to Stroger Hospital in critical condition.
His age and identity have not yet been released.
No other injuries have been reported at this time.
The incident caused significant disruptions for morning commuters. The CTA reported major delays on the Blue Line as crews worked the scene.
To keep service moving, the CTA implemented the following changes:
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Single-Tracking: Trains in both directions are sharing a single track between the Western and Damen stations.
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Boarding: All riders must board trains on the O’Hare-bound side at these stops.
This incident occurred on the same day the CTA began a new safety initiative mandated by the federal government.
Riders can expect to see an increased presence of Chicago Police Department patrols on trains and platforms throughout the day.
Officials have not yet released a motive or further details regarding the incident.
