Police probe viral footage of woman, 53, on fire at Portsmouth petrol station

Hampshire police confirmed to The News officers are looking into a ‘malicious communication’ offence committed in the sharing of the CCTV clip.

It comes after a 53-year-old woman died when she doused herself in petrol at the petrol station in Northern Road, Cosham, on November 1 at around 10.30am.

Following her death footage from a CCTV monitor, which appears to have been recorded on a phone, went viral – with people sharing it around the globe.

Damon Moore, 44, who grew up near the petrol station, was so disgusted after being unexpectedly sent the clip he wrote to The News.

The Malta-based maritime worker received the video from someone he knows in Mallorca – showing how far it had spread.

Mr Moore, who stopped the clip after he realised what was happening, said: ‘From the few seconds that I did see, it was obvious to me that someone had filmed a recording of the garage CCTV footage using their phone and then forwarded it to friends.

‘This is thoughtless, despicable behaviour. Footage of people suffering injuries and dying on social media is sadly all too common these days, it is readily available to viewers of any age group, and is a problem that needs to be addressed.’

Mr Moore said the wealth of similar videos shared on social media is ‘desensitising people’.

Posting on The News's Facebook page in response to someone who said they knew the woman, Gayle Willis said: ‘Condolences. Can't imagine what seeing this video is like for you. Hope she’s now at peace.’

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Carol Lanning added: ‘I couldn't believe people would want to watch someone so distressed trying to kill themselves. Also what about her family knowing this was there for all to see?’

The site is operated and staffed by Motor Fuel Group.

A spokesman said: ‘Motor Fuel Group has already conducted its own investigations into the matter and spoken to the police about the incident.

‘We will however, fully cooperate with any further police requests.’

A Hampshire police spokesman said: ‘I can confirm we are investigating an offence of malicious communications in relation to the sharing of CCTV footage.’

Police confirmed this is not related to the recording of the footage from the monitor onto a mobile phone.

As reported, members of the public rushed to try and save the woman.

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