Man allegedly set fire to two homeless people at South LA encampment

SOUTH LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Police are looking for a transient who allegedly threw a flammable liquid on two other homeless people and set them on fire Thursday in South Los Angeles.

Around 6:40 a.m., police say, a man approached a homeless encampment in an empty lot at 83rd Street and Vermont Avenue. He allegedly threw a flammable liquid on two people and set them on fire, causing serious injuries.

The Los Angeles Police Department identified the suspect as Phillip Darryl Cole. He was described as black, with black hair, brown eyes, standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, and weighing about 260 pounds. He is homeless and believed to be in the area where the incident occurred.

Officers believe Cole is responsible for several robberies in the area as well.

Police asked anyone with information to call detectives at (323) 786-5420 or provide anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.