Petersburg man charged with setting former co-worker on fire

A Petersburg man was arrested today about 25 minutes after police say he set a former co-worker on fire and then fled on a public bus.

The victim, who wasn't identified, sustained burns to her head area and was airlifted to VCU Medical Center, where she is in serious but stable condition, police said.

Henry Morton, 51, was charged with aggravated malicious wounding in the 8:35 a.m. assault, which occurred in the parking lot of the Petersburg East Complex at 110 Croatan Drive in the city's east end. Morton had been fired as a maintenance worker at the apartment complex yesterday, police said.

The victim didn't fire Morton but she worked in the same office as the person who did, Hyatt said.

Police said Morton first hit the victim in the head with an object before dousing her with a flammable liquid and igniting it. Several people, including children, witnessed the attack.

Witnesses directed authorities to a Petersburg Area Transit bus stop where they believed Morton had boarded a bus. Police then sent out a special alert to all public transporation employees. A bus driver observed a passenger who fit Morton's description and called police.

Morton was arrested without incident shortly before 9 a.m.

-- Mark Bowes