A top student in the Indian city of Agra has set himself on fire after being teased for being gay.

The 15-year-old – who earned a distinction in his school exams last year – locked himself in his room for two days over the weekend.

Then on Sunday (3 December), he ran screaming and engulfed in flames, having doused himself in diesel and set himself alight.

Neighbors and family members quickly poured water over him, wrapped him up in a blanket and took him to hospital.

He sustained 40% burns on his legs and chest.

‘He is unable to speak properly. The doctors say he is out of danger but I will only believe it when my son will talk to me,’ the boy’s father told The Times of India.

He said his son had taken the extreme step after a few people had caught his son engaging in a sex act with a male friend in a nearby park.

‘The news spread and a some people started teasing and harassing him,’ he said.