News & Politics - Man Sets Himself on Fire Near White House

justsmile · 11-15-2004, 08:48 PM

From yahoo

Quote:

WASHINGTON - A man set himself afire Monday just outside a White House gate and repeatedly yelled "Allah Allah" as a Secret Service officer held him facedown on the sidewalk.

Alan Etter, spokesman for the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services, said the man suffered burns to about 30 percent of his body.

The man had burns to his head, back, arms and face but was conscious when medics took him to Washington Hospital Center, Etter said.

White House doctors joined uniformed Secret Service personnel in administering first aid until the emergency service technicians arrived. They transported the 52-year-old man, who was not identified, to the burn unit of Washington Hospital Center.

Lorie Lewis, a Secret Service spokeswoman, said the man "set himself on fire on Pennsylvania Avenue on the north side of the White House complex."

Etter said the incident occurred about 2 p.m. next to the guard post on the north side of the White House beside a section of Pennsylvania Avenue recently reopened to pedestrians.

Witnesses reported hearing screams and seeing a man in flames. The man's right trouser leg was burned.

Afterward, he lay on the sidewalk about 10-15 feet from his partially burned raincoat, attache case and various papers. A fire extinguisher was there as well. Secret Service personnel confiscated the man's items.

A Florida couple with a video camera taped the incident. John and Beverly Beers, tourists from Palm Beach, Fla., say they turned the tape over to the Secret Service. Authorities also interviewed the couple in Lafayette Park.

Jim Clarke of Burke, Va., was walking his dog when the incident occurred. He said Secret Service agents acted quickly and used an extinguisher to put out the flames.

There was no immediate word on the man's condition or what led to the fire. There was evidence of an ignitable liquid at the scene, Etter said.

The Secret Service (news - web sites), which disclosed no additional details, is investigating the incident.

Katis · 11-15-2004, 08:49 PM

Freak. He's got to be psychologically disturbed.

justsmile · 11-15-2004, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Katis
Freak. He's got to be psychologically disturbed.

I don't see how a sane person can think setting themself on fire is a good idea.

WalkingOnSunshine · 11-15-2004, 08:57 PM

What an idiot - I guess he really got his "point" across.

Lovesbitch · 11-15-2004, 08:58 PM

Is anyone else curious why the couple kept filming it. I don't know, my reaction may have been to scream or be upset...

Katis · 11-15-2004, 08:59 PM

I'm assuming someone was helping him at that point. People are curious, it's like staring at a carwreck. It's horrible but you can't look away.

*Lauren · 11-16-2004, 08:40 AM

It could have been a protest. Remember the Buddhist monks in Vietnam back in the 70s? They were doing the same thing then.

secret boyfriend · 11-16-2004, 03:08 PM

i think the man is nuts. it must have taken a lot of willpower to set himself on fire though. one of my worst fears is being burned by fire, so i can't comprehend how he could have gone though with it.

Rivulet027 · 11-16-2004, 03:21 PM

I heard this on the news last night on my way home from work.

It's sad. He probably believed in what he was doing. At least he's alive and can recover.

LittleMilkJug · 11-16-2004, 03:24 PM

He must be in the worst pain imaginable. I really hope he thinks it was worth it, and the sad thing is, he probably does

Lexis · 11-16-2004, 03:44 PM

I think its sad. The poor guy must be really messed up and if all the stuff about his wife is true, he must have been so desperate.

Littlest Hobo · 11-17-2004, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by *Lauren
It could have been a protest. Remember the Buddhist monks in Vietnam back in the 70s? They were doing the same thing then.

That's what I immediately thought of when I read this article. I don't know if those monks were the first to use burning themselves as a form of protest, but this guy's actions really do parallel theirs: burning himself in a religious protest against a US-led war.


Fan Forum > General Discussion > News & Politics > Man Sets Himself on Fire Near White House