Police responded to a number of calls and reports stating that a man set himself on fire at the National Mall on Friday. A witness says that a companion to the man filmed the entire thing. The man was later rushed, via helicopter, to a local hospital. The man set himself on fire near the National Gallery of Art, which is currently closed because of the US government shutdown.
The man reportedly poured gasoline all over himself to start the fire. Flames and smoke from the man were visible all the way to the Capitol. A number of staffers were able to witness the whole incident. The incident comes just a day after a woman tried to forcefully enter the White House using a car.
The man reportedly set himself on fire around 4:30 on Friday, in the area between the Air and Space museums and National Gallery. Joggers who saw the incident tried to help the man, and even ripped out their clothes to help put out the flames. The fire has burned about 80% of the man's body.
The man still managed to thank the joggers before he was taken to the MedStar Washington Hospital. Because of the nature of the emergency, a U.S helicopter had to take the man to the hospital.
According to Tim Wilson, spokesperson for the Fire Department, the man sustained some life threatening injuries, but he also reported that the man was still conscious and breathing at the scene of the incident.
Authorities are currently trying to find out the reason behind the man's actions. Tourists admit to being shocked upon seeing the incident. A couple of tourists were milling about the area, as the shutdown had closed a number of places.
Witnesses also said that they say another guy with a tripod setup. This is why a number of witnesses believe that the act may have been a sign of protest of some sort.
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