A man lit himself on fire in a park near the White House on May 29 in Washington, said the U.S. Secret Service.
A large emergency response ensued after the incident, which took place on The Ellipse.
“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 Secret Service confirmed.
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.
— U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) May 29, 2019
Something Going Down at the Ellipse near the White House https://t.co/DSD8bywrmd pic.twitter.com/KxfXkt6y16
— PoPville (@PoPville) May 29, 2019
On Twitter, a man said that his daughter saw the alleged self-immolation, saying the person was running through the park before he set himself alight.
“According to my daughter…she just saw a person that was on fire running across the White House lawn. Police and rescue have responded. They’re closing all surrounding streets right now. Video to follow,” Krisjan Berzins tweeted.
According to my daughter…she just saw a person that was on fire running across the White House lawn. Police and rescue have responded. They’re closing all surrounding streets right now. Video to follow… #whitehouse
— Krisjan Berzins (@KrisjanBerzins) May 29, 2019
A man set himself on fire next to the White House a the Ellipse. EMS took him to the hospital with life threatening conditions. (Warning, graphic picture) https://t.co/Ds5RhMEO5j pic.twitter.com/dJcreox8zc
— WUSA9 (@wusa9) May 29, 2019
Guy set himself on fire a little while ago south of White House (on the Ellipse near 15th and Constitution). Secret Service. Park Service, Park Police responding – 92 degrees and sticky today as well pic.twitter.com/rUSGX1A9in
— West Wing Reports (@WestWingReport) May 29, 2019
WATCH: Man on Fire on White House Ellipse [GRAPHIC] https://t.co/zHWx2TjIMS pic.twitter.com/IKtzyWchRG
— WBC News (@latestupdate6) May 29, 2019
There was no immediate word on the man’s condition. The incident unfolded after 12 p.m. ET.
Video footage of incident shot from the distance show a man who appeared to be engulfed in flames.
