Man Who Set Himself On Fire Close To The White House Dies

A man who set himself on fire near the White House has died in hospital from his injuries.

He was taken to hospital with 85 per cent burns and life-threatening injuries.

The man has not yet been named.

A helicopter and multiple Fire Department vehicles attended the scene within minutes.

Speaking to CNBC, eye-witness Alina Berzins, said she had been visiting the National Mall with two of her cousins from Bolivia when she saw the man.

The 17-year-old said: "He starts running and then we saw him covered in flames.

"He started to walk. Cops started coming to the area and he collapsed. Everybody was in shock. I was in shock."

The fire was then extinguished.

A video showing the man on fire was posted to Twitter - reportedly by Alina's father - with the caption: "@FoxNews Video of the person that was literally engulfed in flames on the #WhiteHouse lawn. Unbelievable."

Another user also posted a video to social media, writing: "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, Oh my god."

A spokesperson for the U.S. Secret Service said on Twitter: "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."

No official comment has been made by the White House regarding the reports.

This is not the first time someone has set themselves alight in recent months. In April a man a man an electric scooter set his jacket on fire outside the White House fence.