NASHUA – A man survived after he apparently set himself on fire in the Headlines parking lot late Tuesday night, as bystanders were able to extinguish the flames.

Nashua Police Lt. Robert Giggi said good Samaritans were responsible for putting out the fire before fire crews and police arrived.

“It is my understanding that once the emergency responders got there, the fire was already extinguished,” Giggi said Wednesday morning.

The Nashua Police Department responded to the scene at 37 East Hollis St. around 10:29 p.m. for the report of a man on fire in the parking lot.

On their arrival, officers found a male victim who had sustained injuries from the fire, which had already been put out. Police said the victim was conscious and breathing, and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The officers conducted an investigation that indicated the victim purchased gasoline from a nearby gas station minutes before the fire took place.

Witnesses reported they saw the man on fire in the parking lot and rushed to his aid. Nashua Fire Rescue was on the scene, as well, with six personnel responding to the report of a man suffering burns in the Headlines parking lot. Fire personnel reported that two bystanders extinguished the flames using their coats and snow from the ground.

The man sustained burns over “at least 20 percent” of his upper torso, according to Nashua Fire Rescue.

Preliminary findings in the investigation revealed that the victim purposely started the fire, police said.

The identity of the subject will be kept confidential, Giggi said, “at least for now.”

Nashua police ask anyone with information about the incident to call the department at 594-3500 or the crime line at 589-1665.