Washington, .- A man who has not been identified by the authorities caught fire today in front of the White House, as Efe could confirm and corroborated the Secret Service, the body in charge of protecting the president and his family.
The incident occurred at 12:20 local time (16:20 GMT) in the park of La Elipse, between the presidential mansion and the monument to Washington, the iconic obelisk of the capital.
“Secret Service agents responded in seconds, put out the fire and began to administer (to the man who set himself on fire) first aid,” a spokesman for the US agency, Jeffrey Adams, told Efe.
After the event, the individual was transported to a local hospital to be treated for the injuries suffered when he was burned.
The authorities did not disclose more details about his identity, motivation, the extent of his injuries or the possible charges he may face.
On April 12 another man tried to set himself on fire in front of the White House, but Secret Service agents prevented him from doing so.
According to the authorities, the suspect was moving in an electric wheelchair when, suddenly, “caught his jacket on fire.”
Several incidents in recent years involving individuals who have jumped the fence that protects the White House have led to a gradual increase in security in the perimeter of the presidential residence.
In February of last year, a woman crashed her vehicle against one of the security fences that protect the building, forcing the temporary closure of the complex that houses the presidential residence.
This event occurred minutes after the president, Donald Trump, and the Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, offered a joint press conference in the same White House.
Just a month later, a man lost his life after being shot in front of the White House for unknown reasons. (EFEUSA)
