It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.
Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.
Thank you.
Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.
A man set himself on fire in a part of Washington DC, close to the White House, local officials have said. A fire official said a man has been flown to the hospital after suffering major burns.
A witness said she saw the man dump a red canister of petrol on his head and then set himself on fire. One witness Vanessa Sink, wrote on Twitter: "Just witnessed the craziest thing ever... a man set himself on fire and danced down the Mall.
"A runner and passerby put the flames out. I didn't see him light the match, but I saw the flames engulf his body. It was incredible."
She said the man was picked up by a helicopter and transported to a medical facility.
The incident happened just after 4.20pm EST (9.20pm BST) in a part of Washington DC called the National Mall.
DC police spokeswoman Saray Leon said: "We have a report of a man on fire at 7th and Independence."
She said the man was “conscious and breathing” when firefighters responded.
It is believed a police officer with the city's Metro Police attempted to help put out the blaze.
Fire Department spokesman Tim Wilson said the man has life-threatening injuries.
His name and age were not immediately known.
A dog was seen checking the seen with a police handler afterwards.
DeanWormer
How sad
People are fed up, I get that, but my goodness, to go to such extremes.
skuly
I don't know how close the mall is to the white house so cant say if the headline is
just attention grabbing but there no information yet as to why he would do this.