Man Sets Himself on Fire on National Mall, Flown to Hospital

A man has been airlifted to the hospital after setting himself on fire the National Mall, according to the local fire department.

The D.C. Fire Department received a call at 4:24 p.m. about the situation on the Mall on Friday afternoon, Washington City Paperreports, reportedly near Madison and 7th streets. Metro Police said the man is "conscious and breathing," but a fire department spokesman said the man sustained life-threatening injuries.

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A witness told AP that "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."

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The man is being treated at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, which tweeted Friday night that he was in critical condition. The reason for self-immolation remains unclear. 

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