In a shocking incident that occurred on Saturday afternoon, a man set a cup of liquid on fire and hurled it at a fellow subway rider in New York City, resulting in severe injuries. The incident took place on a No. 1 train in lower Manhattan and left the victim's shirt engulfed in flames.

According to city police, the suspect, a 49-year-old man, is currently in custody. The victim, a 23-year-old man, is recovering at a hospital after suffering burns on approximately one-third of his body. The courageous victim protected his fiancee and cousin from the burning liquid, while simultaneously trying to put out the fire on his own shirt.

The victim recounted the harrowing ordeal to the New York Post, stating, "He had a cup. He made fire and he threw it all." The motive behind the attack remains unknown at this time.

Soon after the incident, authorities were able to apprehend the suspect by tracking a phone he had allegedly stolen from another subway rider. However, the specific charges against him have not yet been announced, and it remains unclear whether he has legal representation to respond to the allegations against him.

This incident is not the first of its kind in the city's subway system. Police are also investigating a similar encounter from February, where a man threw a container filled with a flaming liquid at a group of people on a subway platform in the West 28th Street station.

While violent crimes are rare in the New York City subway system, which caters to approximately 3 million riders daily, recent high-profile attacks have left some commuters feeling uneasy. These incidents include the tragic death of a man who was pushed onto the tracks in East Harlem in March, as well as a series of shootings.

To address these concerns, Governor Kathy Hochul announced in March that hundreds of National Guard members would be deployed to bolster security in the subway system. Additionally, the city police have committed to deploying an additional 800 officers to crack down on fare evasion.

The investigation into this disturbing incident is ongoing, and authorities are determined to ensure the safety and security of all subway riders.