Rockford Register Star Online

11/23/01

Man sets himself on fire at CherryVale Mall

CHERRY VALLEY -- A 27-year-old Rockford man who set himself on fire at CherryVale Mall this morning was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago after two shoppers grabbed him and put out the blaze.

Four were hurt in the incident involving Richard A. Lewis of Rockford, including the two shoppers who grabbed the burning man. The fire took place near the second-floor Marshall Fields entrance, above the center court area.

CherryVale officials did not close the mall. The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year and the mall was full. Instead, officials have blocked off the center court area while the mess is cleaned up. All of the stores are open and Santa Claus is again visiting with children.

The man, described as in his late 20s or early 30s, doused himself with a chemical, according to witnesses, and set himself ablaze. They said he was hurling flaming objects onto the center court below and shouting "freedom and liberty for all" among other things as he leaned over the mezzanine railing.

Linda Belpedio, who works at Studio Hair Designs, a kiosk in CherryVale's center court, said she was unpacking items when she heard someone shout "let freedom ring." She looked up and saw the man with flames shooting a foot off of his body standing on the railing, looking as if he was about to jump, when he was grabbed from behind.

"My stomach dropped," Belpedio said. "The next thing I thought I was going to hear was some shooting."

Other witnesses also said he had several canisters tied to his body. Officials said the canisters no longer pose a threat.

CherryVale manager Mark Peterson thanked emergency personnel and the shoppers who grabbed the man.

The incident did not seem to discourage shoppers.

"I was just kind of waiting for my wife and kids. It makes you think about the nuts out there," said Greg Todd of Oregon, who did not witness the incident. Todd said the excitement would not change his seasonal shopping plans.