Man Sets Self On Fire, ‘Dances’ Across National Mall [Report]
A man reportedly set fire to himself and “danced” around the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on Friday afternoon, horrifying witnesses.
Metro Police told Business Insider that they responded to a report of a man on fire at the National Mall, and witnesses on Twitter said that the man seemed to set himself on fire on purpose.
Per the Associated Press:
Fire crews responded Friday afternoon to a report of a man on fire at 7th and Madison streets. A witness says she saw a man dump a red canister of gasoline on his head and then set himself on fire.
D.C. Fire Department spokesman Tim Wilson says the man has life-threatening injuries.
His name and age weren’t immediately known.
D.C. police confirmed on Twitter that the man is both conscious and breathing, but little else is known at this time.
Twitter user Vanessa Sink saw the incident firsthand, and took several pictures of the scene which she has posted to her account. She said that a runner and a bystander intervened and put the fire out. She called the scene “incredible.”
A med helicopter later arrived to airlift the man away.
Just witnessed the craziest thing ever… a man set himself on fire and danced down the Mall. #horrifying
— Vanessa Sink (@LiveMusicGirl) October 4, 2013
She also dismissed reports that she overheard the man admitting to a suicide attempt.
@ManikSethisuwan @taylorrmurphy I said no such thing. I didn’t hear him say anything.
— Vanessa Sink (@LiveMusicGirl) October 4, 2013
She only saw the fire and police on the scene didn’t give any details about his condition.
This is a breaking news story. You can drop me a line on Twitter if you saw the incident firsthand and have photos/tweets you’re comfortable with us embedding.
