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A man has been charged after allegedly igniting a fire on a CTA train in the Northwest Side of Chicago, according to local police.
The incident occurred just after 6 a.m. near the Damen Avenue stop on the CTA Blue Line in the Wicker Park area, authorities reported.
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Police identified the suspect as 52-year-old Jesus Martinez from Northlake. It is alleged that he intentionally set his own belongings ablaze, resulting in burns to his leg, the police stated.
The fire was promptly put out, and Martinez was subsequently transported to Stroger Hospital, where he was reported to be in good condition. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives later took him into custody.
On Sunday, police confirmed that Martinez faces charges including felony Aggravated Arson with knowledge of a person present and felony Criminal Damage to Government Property, with damages ranging from $500 to $10,000.
SEE ALSO | Man accused in Blue Line fire attack facing new arson charges in separate blaze at City Hall
No other injuries were reported, police said, but the incident caused extensive delays for Blue Line riders.
Friday morning’s fiery incident happened on the same day CTA officials planned to bolster their police presence at stations and stops across the city after submitting a safety plan to the federal government.
The video in the player above is from a previous report.
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