Washington D.C, US:
Shocking footage has emerged showing a man on fire in a popular tourist area, close to the White House.
In the horrific clip the man can be seen walking around calmly while police desperately attempt to put out the flames in Ellipse Park yesterday (Wednesday, 29 May).
According to reports, the identity of the man is not yet known but the horrific incident occurred less than a mile from the White House, Washington D.C.
It's claimed the man set himself on fire and sustained 'life threatening' injuries as a result.
It's said a helicopter and multiple Fire Department vehicles attended the scene within minutes.
Speaking to CNBC, eye-witness Alina Berzins, said she had been visiting the National Mall with two of her cousins from Bolivia when she saw the man.
The 17-year-old said: "He starts running and then we saw him covered in flames.
"He started to walk. Cops started coming to the area and he collapsed. Everybody was in shock. I was in shock."
The fire was then extinguished.
A video showing the man on fire was posted to Twitter - reportedly by Alina's father - with the caption: "@FoxNews Video of the person that was literally engulfed in flames on the
#WhiteHouse lawn. Unbelievable."
The man reportedly set himself alight less than a mile from the White House.
Another user also posted a video to social media, writing: "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, Oh my god."
A spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service said on Twitter: "At approximately 12:20 p.m. a man lit himself on fire on the Ellipse near 15th and Constitution Ave., Secret Service personnel are on scene assisting @NatlParkService and
@usparkpolicepio in rendering first aid."
The Washington Fire Department confirmed that a person had been taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries.
A spokesperson for the department said: "I can confirm that we've transported one patient with burns from the Ellipse and we're now on the scene assisting law enforcement."
No official comment has been made by the White House regarding the reports.
This is not the first time someone has set themselves alight in recent months. In April a man a man an electric scooter set his jacket on fire outside the White House fence.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed the man was hospitalised with what appeared to be none life-threatening injuries.
Source:CBSN.
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