Man Sets Himself on Fire at the National Mall

A fire official says a man has been flown to the hospital after setting himself on fire at the National Mall. Fire crews responded this afternoon to a report of a man on fire at 7th Street and Madison Drive in Washington, DC. A witness says she saw a man dump a red canister of gasoline on his head and then set himself on fire. DC Fire Department spokesman Tim Wilson says the man has life-threatening injuries.

The man's name and age weren't immediately known. Katy Scheflen says she was walking along the Mall when she saw a man by himself pick up a can of gasoline and empty its contents on his head before setting himself ablaze. She says passing joggers took off their shirts to help douse the flames. (More National Mall stories.)