Bystanders rush to help man after he set himself on fire at National Mall

Witness: Man apparently sets himself on fire on National Mall
By Carol Cratty
CNN
updated 5:58 PM EDT, Fri October 4, 2013

Washington (CNN) -- Law enforcement and medical personnel rushed to Washington's National Mall on Friday afternoon to assist a man who reportedly set himself on fire.

Officer Hugh Carew, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Department, said the initial report was the man was conscious and breathing. Carew could not confirm how the fire had started.

Adam Stifel saw part of the incident as he was running.

"I saw a man sitting in flames," Stifel told CNN. "He had already doused himself in gasoline, I believe."

Stifel said five or six people used their shirts to pat out the fire.
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