A Hong Kong man was set on fire after he chased down a group of masked protesters who had vandalised an MTR station on Monday, Nov. 11 during noontime rush hour.

The victim has been identified as Leung Chi-cheung, a 57-year-old father of two daughters.

He was sent to hospital with severe burns to his body, as well as head trauma.

A Fire Services Department spokeswoman in Hong Kong said Leung had second-degree burns on 28 percent of his body, mainly his chest and arms.

Police have classified the case as attempted murder.

What happened

A group of more than 20 masked and black-clad protesters vandalised facilities at Ma On Shan MTR station on Sai Sha Road in Ma On Shan at about 1pm.

The group made off on foot before the police arrived.

According to South China Morning Post, Leung, a construction worker lives in the area with his wife and daughters.

He was on the way to hospital for a medical examination at the time.

He witnessed the damage to the station and chased after the protesters, according to the police.

When he reached the On Chun Street footbridge, he was attacked and suffered head injuries.

Someone can be seen on a video treating wounds on his forehead.

As Leung walked away, he shouted to the group: “You are not Chinese.”

The protesters responded by yelling: “We are Hongkongers.”

The video footage then showed Leung returning to confront the protesters.

A dispute ensued.

During the dispute, Leung was doused with flammable liquid and set alight.

Leung was conscious when he was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin.

He was admitted into the intensive care unit in critical condition.

Officers from the Commercial Crime Bureau were assigned to track down the attackers.

By Monday evening, no one had been arrested.