NEW YORK — The man accused of lighting a woman on fire on a New York City subway and fanning the flames as she burned to death made his first appearance in court this week, while authorities were yet to publicly identify the victim.

The "person of interest" was taken into custody hours after the attack while riding another train, according to NYPD Transit Chief Joseph Gulotta.

The fire spread through the train car at the terminal, according to photos reviewed by Gothamist. Officers patrolling the station saw and smelled the smoke, and with the help of an MTA employee, used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames. Police said the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police arrested a man they said set a woman on fire while she appeared to be asleep on a New York City subway train on Sunday morning, killing her.

A court hearing is scheduled for the man accused of setting a woman on fire on a New York City subway train and fanning the flames with a shirt as she burned to death

Police have defended their response, beginning when officers patrolling the station smelled and saw smoke coming from the F train.

Investigators say 33-year-old Sebastian Zapeta, a Guatemalan citizen who ICE officials say entered the U.S. illegally, used a lighter to set the sleeping woman's clothes on fire. CBS News New York's Lori Bordonaro reports.

A vigil was held Thursday in Brooklyn for the woman who was lit on fire and killed on the F train last weekend.