Human Interest: Local Man Identifies As On Fire

Human Interest is an occasional series of stories investigating the whimsical side of our rich and diverse community.

News 7 Reporter Sandra Santos: Turn on your television, tune in on your radio, and chances are these days you’ll hear people talking about identity. But for one man — local small appliance repairman Omar Josephson — the events playing out in national headlines have a very personal relevance. That’s because Mr. Josephson identifies as on fire.

Local Small Appliance Repairman Omar Josephson: JESUS CHRIST IT BURNS SOMEONE HELP ME SOMEONE GET SOME WATER OR SOMETHING

Santos: As extraordinary as it may seem, Josephson said he has a strong conviction the he was born this way.

Josephson: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT NO I DON’T IT WAS THIRTY SECONDS AGO HELP PLEASE

Santos: But to others in his neighborhood, his unusual self-concept is a mystery. Many have expressed skepticism and even bewilderment.

Retired Neighbor Harrison Wilkes: Say, is that man over there on fire? I can’t believe no one’s helping him! Isn’t anyone going to put him out?

Josephson: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Santos: And doctors say that Josephson has no apparent skin conditions or psychiatric disorders that might account for the burning sensation he reports feeling at all times.

Dr. Cecilia Powell, MD: Well, what I said was actually that that man is definitely on fire, and in fact he appears by now to have sustained third-degree burns over most of his body. There’s very little we can do at this point except to try and make him more comfortable.

Santos: I guess it’s true what they say: You’ve got to be comfortable with who you are. For News 7, I’m Sandra Santos.

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