
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 19, 1991                   TAG: 9102190291
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: AMHERST, MASS.                                LENGTH: Short

MAN WITH PEACE SIGN KILLS HIMSELF WITH FIRE

A man carrying a peace sign set himself on fire and died Monday, refusing help from onlookers who tried to smother the flames, police said.

Witnesses told police the man doused himself with a flammable liquid, lighted a match and was engulfed by flames, said Officer Charles Flahive.

Several people tried to put out the flames using their coats, but the man refused help. A police officer put out the flames with a fire extinguisher.

Police could not immediately say what motivated the man. The incident occurred on the Amherst common, scene of protests against the Gulf War in this western Massachusetts town.

A Massachusetts driver's license, believed to belong to the victim, was taped to the sign, which said only "peace," police said. They did not release his name but said he was 20 years old.

- Associated Press

by CNB