Anthony
Super Moderator
A man set himself on fire on the National Mall in the nation's capital as passers-by ran over to help put the flames out, officials said Friday afternoon just before 4:30 p.m.
Katy Scheflen says she was walking along the Mall when she noticed a man standing by himself pick up a red gasoline can and pour its contents on his head before he lit himself on fire.
She says people that were close by took off their shirts to help douse the flames.
Adam Stifel saw part of the incident as he was jogging." I saw a man sitting in flames," Stifel said. "He had already doused himself in gasoline, I believe." Stifel said five or six people used their shirts to put out the fire. He said he saw a red gasoline can near the man.
"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," unnamed witnessed said.
The man was taken by helicopter to the hospital after suffering major burns.
A fire department official described the man's injuries as "life threatening."
Authorities said the man's identity and his reason behind the incident were not immediately known.
More details to follow
Katy Scheflen says she was walking along the Mall when she noticed a man standing by himself pick up a red gasoline can and pour its contents on his head before he lit himself on fire.
She says people that were close by took off their shirts to help douse the flames.
Adam Stifel saw part of the incident as he was jogging." I saw a man sitting in flames," Stifel said. "He had already doused himself in gasoline, I believe." Stifel said five or six people used their shirts to put out the fire. He said he saw a red gasoline can near the man.
"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," unnamed witnessed said.
The man was taken by helicopter to the hospital after suffering major burns.
A fire department official described the man's injuries as "life threatening."
Authorities said the man's identity and his reason behind the incident were not immediately known.
More details to follow
