A fire official says a man has been flown to the hospital after setting himself on fire on the National Mall.

 

Area of National Mall where a man set himself on fire
Area of National Mall where a man set himself on fire (WPVI TV via Facebook)
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Fire crews responded Friday afternoon to a report of a man on fire at 7th Street and Madison Drive. A witness says she saw a man dump a red canister of gasoline on his head and then set himself on fire.

D.C. Fire Department spokesman Tim Wilson says the man has life-threatening injuries.

His 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.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)

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