Secret Service: Man Tries to Set Himself on Fire Outside the White House

The White House on July 23, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

A man who tried to set himself on fire outside the White House on April 12 has been arrested.

The Secret Service said the suspect, who has not been identified, was operating an electronic wheelchair-type scooter when he lit his outer jacket on fire while sitting along Pennsylvania Ave, outside the North Fence Line. Uniformed Division Officers then respondedimmediately, extinguishing the fire and providing first aid.

In a follow-up tweet, the agencies said, “the male subject has been transported to a local hospital with what appears to be non-life threatening injuries.”

Earlier they tweeted that they were responding to a police or medical incident on Pennsylvania Ave.

The Fire Department also responded to the scene to provide first aid, reported Washington Examiner.

Eyewitness videos posted by White House correspondent Mark Irons of EWTN Global Catholic Network, show authorities clearing the park outside the White House and agents apprehending the suspect.

Washington Examiner reporter Steven Nelson said on Twitter that “reporters were just sternly ordered away from Pennsylvania Ave. fence, including out of TV tents” in response to the incident.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.