A man set himself on fire near the White House on May 29, the United States Secret Service said.
The incident took place at a park near President Donald Trump’s home.
“At approximately 12:20 p.m. a man lit himself on fire on the Ellipse near 15th and Constitution Ave.,” the Secret Service stated.
“Secret Service personnel are on scene assisting National Park Service and U.S. Park Police in rendering first aid,” it added.
Warning: graphic footage below
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
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
Twitter user Krisjan Berzins said that his daughter saw the alleged self-immolation.
“They’re closing all surrounding streets right now,” he wrote.
The person was reportedly running through the park before he set himself alight. Pictures and videos showed smoke and flames coming from the area.
Berzins later shared footage his daughter captured that showed the person on fire near a tree. Another user shared footage showing the scene from another angle.
@FoxNews Video of the person that was literally engulfed in flames on the #WhiteHouse lawn. Unbelievable pic.twitter.com/4IS37Rndme
— Krisjan Berzins (@KrisjanBerzins) May 29, 2019
The saddest thing I’ve ever seen. A person set themselves on fire in the park at the south lawn of the Whitehouse. Please pray for their soul pic.twitter.com/OjTL0kGWa7
— patlangs (@LangsPat) May 29, 2019
The area is in the heart of Washington, near the White House and a number of other government buildings and tourist attractions.
The incident came as Washington Homeland Security warned people of high temperatures, saying its Heat Emergency Plan was activated on Wednesday as the heat index could rise as high as 95 degrees.
“Extreme heat, often referred to as a ‘heat wave,’ is an extended period of high temperature usually accompanied by high humidity. Extreme heat kills by pushing the human body beyond its limits. In extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. Older adults, young children, and those who are sick or overweight are more likely to be severely affected by extreme heat,” it stated.
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
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
5/29/19 (2pm) The District’s Heat Emergency Plan is activated. Heat index value of 95 degrees is expected. Visit https://t.co/URE9GBfN7u to find a cooling center near you. Find tips to beat the heat at https://t.co/hjWz8VoxZY. #StayCoolDC pic.twitter.com/y9R0rvlQWm
— DC Homeland Security (@DC_HSEMA) May 29, 2019
“When authorities monitor extreme heat conditions the term ‘heat index’ is used. This index measures the effects of heat and humidity. When heat and humidity combine to reduce the amount of evaporation of sweat from the body, outdoor exercise becomes dangerous even for those in good shape,” it added.
“In the District, the Heat Emergency Plan is activated when the heat index reaches 95 degrees.”
