Apparently, where a man set himself on fire, on the national mall. pic.twitter.com/YHuNSbtEdn
— Sven N. Reigle (@FollowSven) October 4, 2013
Just one day after a lock down at the U.S. Capitol Building, reports are emerging that a man has tried to set himself on fire on the National Mall. The call reportedly came in to emergency services at 4:24 p.m. local time. All of this occurred near the National Air and Space Museum.
Lt. Pamela Smith of the U.S. Park Police said that she was not aware of any political motive for the action.
This is a breaking store and will will bring you updates as we receive them. Here is what we know right now:
1. He Doused Himself in Gasoline
Holy shit, someone just lit himself on fire in the middle of the National Mall pic.twitter.com/qzGgl9OuUo
— Ellie Hess (@Smellie03) October 4, 2013
Witnesses on the scene began tweeting that a man on the National Mall had set himself on fire. Although D.C. police are not commenting on what caused the fire, but an NBC reporter tweeted that the man doused himself in gasoline before setting himself on fire.
One witness is saying that there may have been a tripod set up to film the man as he set himself on fire.
Metro source tells me man doused himself in gasoline and lit himself on fire at 7th and Jefferson on the Mall @nbcwashington
— Adam Tuss (@AdamTuss) October 4, 2013
2. Passersby and Joggers Tried to Put Out the Fire
Washington, DC: Man sets self on fire on National Mall; 2 bystanders use shirts to out fire http://t.co/9SGeifwGiW pic.twitter.com/b4nJS6cPGP
— NewsWatchCanada.ca™ (@newswatchcanada) October 4, 2013
According to witness Vanessa Sink who tweeted from the scene, passersby ran up to the burning man and helped put out the fire.
Joggers and bystanders reportedly took off their own shirts to help hit out the fire.
@brianstelter Saw a man on fire run down the mall. A runner and another man (with help from several others) put him out.
— Vanessa Sink (@LiveMusicGirl) October 4, 2013
3. The National Mall is Currently Closed Due to Shutdown
Due to the national shutdown that forced the closure of all federal parks, malls, memorials, and reserves, the National Mall is considered “closed” for the time being.
4. The Man was Airlifted to a Hospital and His Condition is Unknown
The man is reportedly still alive, and there is even eye-witness reports that the man “danced” while he was on fire. However, witness testimony is now emerging that the man sustained “life threatening injuries.”
The Daily News is reporting that he sustained burns on 80 percent of his body.
Just witnessed the craziest thing ever… a man set himself on fire and danced down the Mall. #horrifying
— Vanessa Sink (@LiveMusicGirl) October 4, 2013
Pictures emerged of a helicopter leaving the viscinity of the National Mall. It is believed to be air lifting the man who set himself on fire.
RT @TupperTiffany: Chaos on #nationalmall #DC pic.twitter.com/kd7Al4uDhN
— Michael Rusch (@weeddude) October 4, 2013
5. There are Currently Road Closures
The D.C. police are now tweeting that due to an “injured citizen,” there is a road closure on 7th between Constitution Ave. and Independence Ave.
Update: Per Cruiser 1050, NB/SB 7th St btwn Const. Ave NW & Independence Ave SW is CLOSED due to an injured citizen. Use Alt Rte./7066
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) October 4, 2013