Man set himself on fire on National Mall in D.C., flown to the hospital, official says

(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON D.C. - Police responded to the National Mall in Washington D.C. Friday afternoon after a man allegedly dumped a canister of gasoline on his head and then set himself on fire, a witness says.

A fire official says the man involved in the incident has been flown to the hospital.

CBS affiliate WUSA reports the man was "conscious and breathing" when authorities responded.

Fire Department spokesman Timothy Wilson said the man was taken to the hospital with "life threatening injuries," the Washington Post reports.

The incident reportedly happened around 4:24 p.m. in area of 7th Street and Jefferson Drive.

The man's name and age were not immediately known.