**Dublin Man Charged for Attempting to Set Police Officer on Fire**



*DUBLIN, Va. – A 30-year-old man, Dakota Lewis Sirt, is facing multiple serious charges after an incident on Wednesday where he allegedly attempted to kill a police officer by setting him on fire.*



According to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, the distressing event unfolded when deputies responded to a domestic violence call on Church Street. Reports indicated that Sirt was inside the residence, allegedly assaulting his mother with a baseball bat.



Upon entering the home, officers encountered Sirt at the top of the stairs holding a can of gasoline. In a shocking turn of events, he poured the gasoline onto the floor and onto one of the responding Dublin officers before igniting it. The flames caught the lower part of the officer's body and spread to the surrounding area of the home.



Fortunately, both the officer and a deputy quickly extinguished the flames. The officer bravely assisted in getting Sirt's mother to safety before being treated for severe burns at a local hospital. He is currently recovering at home.



Sirt is now charged with attempted aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer, attempted aggravated malicious wounding, assault on a law enforcement officer, and arson of an occupied dwelling. He is being held at the New River Valley Regional Jail.



Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.