Authorities: Man who set himself on fire faces arson charge

A man who allegedly set himself on fire as police tried to arrest him in a South Jersey home last week has been charged with arson and other crimes.

Camden County authorities say Karl Ireland was violating a restraining order that barred him from the Berlin home. When police arrived, they found the 47-year-old Berlin man in the rear yard near a shed and ordered him to "show his hands."

Authorities say Ireland instead poured gasoline on his head and ignited a fire. An officer used a stun gun to force Ireland to the ground so officers could extinguish the blaze and administer first aid.

Ireland remains hospitalized, but details on his injuries and condition were not disclosed. It was not known Wednesday if he had retained an attorney.