The man was attacked on Brixham Road, in the neighbourhood of Edgbaston, Birmingham (Picture: Google)
A man was set on fire after someone approached him while he was walking home from a mosque.
He was confronted by another man after he left the place of worship on Dudley Road, in Birmingham, just after 7pm last night.
The pair spoke briefly on Brixham Road, in the neighbourhood of Edgbaston, before the victim was sprayed with an unknown substance and his jacket went up in flames.
He suffered burns to his face and was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but they are not believed to be life-threatening.
Footage has been circulating on social media, showing a man in a backpack pointing at – and at one point pushing – another man before setting him alight.
The police said they are looking into the video as part of their investigation but no details about the clip have been officially confirmed.
Superintendent James Spence said: ‘I’ve been speaking to people this morning, and so I know just how concerned they are, and that people are after answers.
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‘We are determined to find the person responsible and get those answers as soon as possible, and I’d urge the community to work with us and to avoid any speculation at this stage.’
The force has deployed extra officers in the area to reassure locals.
Anyone who thinks they might have information on the crime has been asked to come forward.
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The victim suffered burns to his face and was taken to hospital with serious injuries.