Matthew Wong engulfed in flames while trying to set his estranged wife on fire, Tampa deputies say

TAMPA, Fla. - A man who tried to ambush his estranged wife at a Carrollwood apartment complex near Tampa Monday morning wound up setting himself on fire, according to a Hillsborough Sheriff's investigators.

Deputies responded to a report of a disturbance at the Countrywood Apartments at 12401 Orange Grove Drive around 7 a.m.

Sheriff's spokesman Larry McKinnon said the man, 50 year-old Matthew Wong, whose listed address is in Wesley Chapel, had staked out the area to wait for his wife to show up.

When she did, he attempted to douse her with a flammable liquid, but she was able to get away.  A neighbor grabbed 46 year-old Gloria Davis and pulled her into a nearby apartment for her safety. 

At that point, Wong was heard to scream out, "I'm gonna kill you," and proceeded to try and ignite bushes near the building, but wound up setting himself on fire.

"It was like instantly," said neighbor Amy Jo Akert.  "Literally, he was instantly engulfed in flames."

He was badly burned and was taken to Tampa General Hospital, McKinnon said.