Indian Woman Burned Alive In Australia; Police Investigate Circumstances Of 'Horrific Death'

Residents of the Sydney suburb Rouse Hill witnessed what police are describing as a "horrific death" earlier this week when a woman on fire ran out of her house. Parwinder Kaur died in a hospital the following morning from severe burns that covered more than 80 percent of her body.

Police in Australia have since launched an investigation into the circumstances of the 32-year-old's death. Though her extensive injuries were initially thought to be self-inflicted, authorities are investigating whether foul play was a factor, the Herald Sun reports.

The woman, who lived in Australia for five years after leaving India for an arranged marriage, ran out of the home she shared with her husband, Kulwinder Singh, Monday afternoon. Witnesses said that Kaur's entire body was engulfed in flames as she collapsed in the driveway, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

Singh reportedly followed Kaur out of the house shortly thereafter and attempted to put out the flames with his hands. The 34-year-old man also suffered burns.

Authorities are calling for more witnesses to come forward and are trying to piece together the sequence of events that led Kaur to run screaming from her house while on fire. Police told local media that it was Kaur who called Australia's emergency number for help around 2:10 p.m. Monday.

Officers also reportedly responded to a domestic dispute between the couple earlier this year.

“All we know for certain is that she was doused with an accelerant liquid,” Detective Inspector Critchlow said during a press conference Thursday, according to Blacktown Sun.