Man sets himself on fire outside Job Centre in Birmingham

brummytom

This is a local news story, but I'm surprised it hasn't been picked up by the national press (except for the Telegraph).

A DESPERATE job seeker set himself alight outside a Birmingham Jobcentre in an alleged row over his benefit payments.

Horrified eyewitnesses saw the man douse himself in flammable liquid after tying himself to railings at the Jobcentre Plus in Harborne Lane, Selly Oak, at around 9.20am.

Cops rushed to the aid of the 48-year-old man and sprayed him with fire extinguishers after he suffered burns to his lower legs.


The building remained closed throughout the day and claimants were told that payments would be made directly to banks. One eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said: “The guy came into the Jobcentre with petrol and made threats, so they evacuated the whole building.

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2012/06/29/desperate-jobseeker-sets-himself-alight-outside-selly-oak-jobcentre-97319-31284847/

EDIT: There's a better article at The Guardian. That also mentions an attempted suicide at a benefits office in Liverpool, which I'd not heard about before.

Obviously we've seen similar things in Greece et al., but is this just one lone nutter or indicative of the fact that people really are desperate?

1ZRed

And what does he think this will achieve?

"I have the balls to stet myself on fire, therefore, I'm a perfect candidate for your job position!"

Where To

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IjgZGhHrYY

Fentdog84

Its amazing that someone would rather set themselves on fire than get a job

Nothingbetter2d

1ZRed wrote: »

And what does he think this will achieve?

"I have the balls to stet myself on fire, therefore, I'm a perfect candidate for your job position!"

he might get a job playing a burns victim on one of telly's hospital soaps

My name is URL

brummytom wrote: »

but is this just one lone nutter or indicative of the fact that people really are desperate?

A little from column A and...

in any case, it's not really something that should be joked about.

Agricola

1ZRed wrote: »

And what does he think this will achieve?

"I have the balls to stet myself on fire, therefore, I'm a perfect candidate for your job position!"

Are you for real? Did you consider that he may have been awaiting a payment that wasnt getting processed? A payment that he might need to buy food for himself and/or his kids? I think his job prospects were possibly a little down the list of his priorities maybe!

brummytom

1ZRed wrote: »

And what does he think this will achieve?

"I have the balls to stet myself on fire, therefore, I'm a perfect candidate for your job position!"

In fairness, it was in response to his benefit payments rather than a lack of job offers. I know people in AH hate 'all dem bluddy benefit scroungers' but they're being absolutely raped in this country at the moment.

El Guapo!

Whatever his situation was, setting himself on fire was a pretty stupid and pointless move.

Janedoe10

Dean09 wrote: »

Whatever his situation was, setting himself on fire was a pretty stupid and pointless move.

I think this in indicative of the situation out there . Report of an OAP in greece shot himself In front of a bank .person in Italy fire . It's sad what ever the circumstances that they have to resort to that.

All in protest http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greece/9186568/Austerity-suicide-Greek-pensioner-shoots-himself-in-Athens.html

celticcrash

brummytom wrote: »

In fairness, it was in response to his benefit payments rather than a lack of job offers. I know people in AH hate 'all dem bluddy benefit scroungers' but they're being absolutely raped in this country at the moment.

Its Ok Tommy ,I think he was an Aston Villa fan.

snubbleste

Some unemployed Tunisian guy set himself on fire. It brought down the government, and the next country over had a change of government and the next country over to that had a change of government.
People set themselves on fire regularly in Tibet but it does'nt make the headlines that often either.

Lollers

Poor chap, poverty and desperation often go hand in hand. This must have been his tipping point.

maximoose

We're all suffering, no need to get so hot headed.

Varied

The saying, "flaming numpty" comes to mind.

1ZRed

Agricola wrote: »

Are you for real? Did you consider that he may have been awaiting a payment that wasnt getting processed? A payment that he might need to buy food for himself and/or his kids? I think his job prospects were possibly a little down the list of his priorities maybe!

Hang on I misread the post! Wow my mistake there:o

kowloon

snubbleste wrote: »

People set themselves on fire regularly in Tibet but it does'nt make the headlines that often either.

I gather that's all to do with religious autocracy though, so perhaps it's not a cause more noteworthy than unemployment in Birmingham. I do have a reputation for being wrong quite frequently though.

celticcrash

kowloon wrote: »

I gather that's all to do with religious autocracy though, so perhaps it's not a cause more noteworthy than unemployment in Birmingham. I do have a reputation for being wrong quite frequently though.

Over 30 Tibetans have courageously set fire to themselves in protests against China's repressive occupation. If your found with a picture of the Dali Lama you could be sent to prison and if not at least a bad beating.
And of course it does not make the headlines, China controls all media that comes out of tibet.
Even google was censored in China.

Pottler

In fairness, if I had to live in Birmingham, I'd gladly douse myself with petrol, and whip out the zippo. I think the man deserves sympathy, he stuck it for 40+ years. It's a bit of a kip. Liverpool too. They could film a movie set in Beirut in either of them. In fairness, if you are that desperate, there might be a few more quid in setting other things than yourself alight. Especially in a recession- arsonists are always in demand when a business wants to go out with a bang.

christmas2012

shocking hope hes alright

Gummy Panda

A Pakistani lad did this before in Artane Castle. He went into the Tescos and grabbed lighter fluid then set himself on fire outside the hairdressers.

Crazy shít

Mint Sauce

brummytom wrote: »

In fairness, it was in response to his benefit payments rather than a lack of job offers. I know people in AH hate 'all dem bluddy benefit scroungers' but they're being absolutely raped in this country at the moment.

Without getting to much into the social welfare system in the UK v the one here, atleast (as far as i'm aware) in the UK you have to provide proof of your job hunting on a fortnightly basis, here you just sign your name. A whole 16 months on JSB/JSA and I wasn't asked to provide proof once.

Mr Benevolent

Varied wrote: »

The saying, "flaming numpty" comes to mind.

Not if you're Irish.

mr_edge_to_you

Why do you do if the Late Late Show goes on fire?......Watch Gay Byrne.

juan.kerr

Any mention of the individuals nationality?

furmi

It also happens here in this country and not just in Birmingham and I precict you will see alot more of this crazy stuff.

NIMAN

furmi wrote: »

It also happens here in this country and not just in Birmingham and I precict you will see alot more of this crazy stuff.

Some examples, cos I cant think of a single case of anyone here setting themselves on fire as a form of protest.

SocSocPol

juan.kerr wrote: »

Any mention of the individuals nationality?

What difference would that make?

juan.kerr

SocSocPol wrote: »

What difference would that make?

Who said it makes a difference?

SocSocPol

juan.kerr wrote: »

Who said it makes a difference?

Well if it makes no difference why did you ask in the first place? Odds are as it happened in birmingham his nationality would be English.

juan.kerr

SocSocPol wrote: »

Well if it makes no difference why did you ask in the first place? Odds are as it happened in birmingham his nationality would be English.

Maybe, maybe not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demography_of_Birmingham#Ethnicity

SocSocPol

juan.kerr wrote: »

Maybe, maybe not.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demography_of_Birmingham#Ethnicity

I would suggest that you learn the differnce between nationality and ethnicity.

juan.kerr

SocSocPol wrote: »

I would suggest that you learn the differnce between nationality and ethnicity.

I'm aware of the difference. I wondered if you'd be a smart arse about it while I was posting the link.

Jester252

1ZRed wrote: »

And what does he think this will achieve?

Disability Benefits

SocSocPol

juan.kerr wrote: »

I'm aware of the difference. I wondered if you'd be a smart arse about it while I was posting the link.

So you posted an irrelavant link and your pi**ed at having it pointed out to you, you are the one who queationed the poor sods nationality, one can only surmise why you did that.
Out of this discussion, not interested in being flamed. Bye.

vard

brummytom wrote: »

In fairness, it was in response to his benefit payments rather than a lack of job offers. I know people in AH hate 'all dem bluddy benefit scroungers' but they're being absolutely raped in this country at the moment.

Bull. The vast majority have it easy in Ireland.

Benefit payments in the UK amount to far less, and if you're living in London the cost of living is proportionately higher also.

SocSocPol

vard wrote: »

Bull. The vast majority have it easy in Ireland.

Benefit payments in the UK amount to far less, and if you're living in London the cost of living is proportionately higher also.

The UK get
Free Doctor
Free Dental
very cheap prescriptions
Free Education
You are not comparing like with like at all.

furmi

NIMAN wrote: »

Some examples, cos I cant think of a single case of anyone here setting themselves on fire as a form of protest.

one that springs to mind is :

http://www.rte.ie/news/1999/0804/garda.html

Duckjob

Amazing how arguments can flare up like this :pac:

Chucky the tree

SocSocPol wrote: »

The UK get
Free Doctor
Free Dental
very cheap prescriptions
Free Education
You are not comparing like with like at all.

If your talking about people on social welfare they get the same in Ireland.

SocSocPol

Chucky the tree wrote: »

If your talking about people on social welfare they get the same in Ireland.

The hell they do.
Costs a fortune with books and obligatory contributions to school, dental care doesent even exist.

Chucky the tree

SocSocPol wrote: »

The hell they do.
Costs a fortune with books and obligatory contributions to school, dental care doesent even exist.

Do you they get free school books in the UK? Also they don't get free college education. You can get free dental care under the medical card afaik.

biko

juan.kerr wrote: »

Any mention of the individuals nationality?

juan.kerr wrote: »

Who said it makes a difference?

You asked so it must have some measure of importance to you?

celticcrash

A man sets his shoes on fire and it ends up in the papers.

Mother of three dies in Tibet




Latest self-immolation in Tibet

A mother of three has died after setting herself on fire in Tibet.

Rechok, who was in her mid-30s, died at the scene. She set herself on fire in front of the Jonang Dzamthang monastery in Barma Township. Her body is currently in the monastery and many Tibetans have gathered for her cremation.

minidazzler

1ZRed wrote: »

And what does he think this will achieve?

"I have the balls to stet myself on fire, therefore, I'm a perfect candidate for your job position!"

Well, if it's a job as a stunt man, he is the perfect candidate.

celticcrash wrote: »

A man sets his shoes on fire and it ends up in the papers.

Mother of three dies in Tibet




Latest self-immolation in Tibet

A mother of three has died after setting herself on fire in Tibet.

Rechok, who was in her mid-30s, died at the scene. She set herself on fire in front of the Jonang Dzamthang monastery in Barma Township. Her body is currently in the monastery and many Tibetans have gathered for her cremation.

When something is a very regular occurence as Self-immolation is in Tibet, it ceases to be news. But when a guy purposely sets himself on fire in the UK, it's rare enough that it is news.

SocSocPol

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Do you they get free school books in the UK? Also they don't get free college education. You can get free dental care under the medical card afaik.

You get very limited care after a very long wait, if you need more than two fillings you have to get the teeth extracted!
You do get free education in primary and secondary in England, and you get free University in Scotland.
Im just making the point that in many ways particularly access to services you could be better off in the UK.

Chucky the tree

Chucky the tree wrote: »

Do you they get free school books in the UK? Also they don't get free college education. You can get free dental care under the medical card afaik.

Heh, you should see how much free dental care you can get on the medical card. As for any non-essential medical stuff one shouldn't expect to see a consultant in under 3 years.

Mardy Bum

SocSocPol wrote: »

The hell they do.
Costs a fortune with books and obligatory contributions to school, dental care doesent even exist.

Every secondary school has a book scheme including copies for those unable to afford them i.e medical card holders.

3ndahalfof6

HA HA, thats funny he is clearly a head the ball, I know a guy who did something similar, he went into a building with his petrol can full and started pouring it all over the place, people were screaming and crying, he made a trail back to the main door,

by now the employees were going frantic, he takes out his lighter (this all happened in about 25 seconds) lets out a big laugh and tossed it onto the trail he had just made, turned and left the building, it was water he had, such an anticlimax for the staff one minute they were going to burn to death the next minute they were hugging each sneaking off for durty sex.

Logical Fallacy

vard wrote: »

Bull. The vast majority have it easy in Ireland.

Benefit payments in the UK amount to far less, and if you're living in London the cost of living is proportionately higher also.

The person you are responding to is in the UK.

So you basically agree with them.

SocSocPol

Mardy Bum wrote: »

Every secondary school has a book scheme including copies for those unable to afford them i.e medical card holders.

No they dont! Not every, not even most, and most demand annual registration fees of €100+