A 50-year-old man in My Tho town tied and set himself on fire to commit suicide early Tuesday after years living with cancer, the media has reported.

The police are investigating the death of Phan Thanh Hoang, who was found dead near his house.

Witnesses found Hoang engulfed in flames by the gate of a neighbor’s house at around 3 a.m and put out the fire, but it was too late to save him.

Preliminary investigation shows Hoang had placed coconut shells around before tying himself to the gate and lighting a fire. The police also found traces of gasoline at the site.

Neighbors said Hoang had cancer and lived alone in his house, and was in distress recently.

The police found a note, thought to be written by Hoang, expressing apologizes to his mother.

The investigation continues.