A man has set himself on fire in front of the White House, with emergency services closing off surrounding streets as he was rushed to hospital.
Disturbing images have been shared in Washington DC of the incident.
The Secret Service tweeted: "At approximately 12.20pm. a man lit himself on fire on the Ellipse near 15th and Constitution Ave.
"Secret Service personnel are on scene assisting (National Park Service) and (US Park Police) in rendering first aid."
There is a heavy police presence at the scene.
A spokesman for the Washington Fire Department told CNBC: “I can confirm that we’ve transported one patient with burns from the Ellipse and we’re now on the scene assisting law enforcement."
The man's condition is not known.
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