Moment hero police officer stops man from setting himself on fire at Tesco petrol station after he doused himself in fuel

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 14:30, 9 July 2026 | Updated: 14:41, 9 July 2026 A hero police officer tackled a man and stopped him setting himself on fire at a petrol station after he doused himself in fuel.  Sgt Charlie Thompson bravely wrestled the unnamed man, who was holding a lighter and threatening to set himself ablaze, to the ground in October last year. The man was just inches away from the pumps at the Tesco petrol station forecourt in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, running the risk of a 'catastrophic' explosion. Bodycam footage shows how officers arrived at the scene to find a man holding a lighter and demanding to speak to several people, including the local mayor.  He can be heard threatening to ignite himself and gave emergency services '15 minutes' to act. The officers attempt to calm the man down and Sgt Thompson can be heard pleading with the man, asking him to come and talk to the officers. He tells him: 'I will try and do what I can. I won't talk to you while you are holding a lighter. I will talk to you but not here. 'We need to get you away from here. Tell me what's going on. You don't need to be doing this, what is this about? The man was just inches away from the pumps at the Tesco petrol station forecourt in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, running the risk of a 'catastrophic' explosion Sgt Charlie Thompson bravely wrestled the unnamed man, who was holding a lighter and threatening to set himself a blaze, to the ground in October last year A firefighter was on hand to hose the man down with foam, avoiding any risk of a fire As the man empties a jerry can of fuel over his head, he tells him: 'I will try and do what I can do. You need to be very careful.' Soon afterwards, Sgt Thompson dashes at him, risking his own life before tackling him to the ground. Other officers pile on top of the man while a firefighter hoses him down with foam to prevent the risk of a fire. After the risk has been averted, Sgt Thompson steps back and is asked whether he is alright.  'Yeah yeah I'm good,' he replies nonchalantly.  Sgt Thompson has now been nominated for an award at the Police Federation National Police Bravery Awards 2026. Acting Chief Constable David Gardner, of Warwickshire Police, said 'We are extremely proud of Sgt Thompson who demonstrated incredible fortitude, empathy, and quick-thinking in his actions that day. 'It is thanks to him, and the other officers on the ground that there wasn't a tragedy that day in Stratford-upon-Avon. After Sgt Thompson rushed the man, other officers piled in to assist Sgt Thompson has now been nominated for a bravery award for his life-saving actions 'He is more than worthy of the Bravery Award.' Sgt Thompson said 'I couldn't have done it without the team behind me - we co-ordinated, we worked together, and it was together that we stopped what could have been a terrible loss of life. 'I'm overwhelmed to have been nominated for a Bravery Award - it's always a good day when our hard work in the police is recognised like this. 'I hope that the chap I tackled is doing better now - it will have been a very low moment for him, and we hope he's managed to pick himself back up and get the support he needed.'