A 63-year-old man set himself on fire in the lobby of a Manhattan building that houses Google offices and the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau on Friday afternoon.
The incident occurred just before 3 p.m. in the Hudson Square building, according to the NYPD and FDNY.
The man reportedly walked into the lobby wearing a backpack and was suddenly engulfed in flames.
Witnesses placed multiple 911 calls, and first responders quickly arrived at the scene.
“At first I thought they were shooting a film or something,” a building worker who witnessed the incident told the NY Daily News. “I saw the flames in the lobby. Then the flames were running around the lobby, and security was trying to put him out.”
“One of the security guards came out of the building with the burning backpack and threw it into the street,” the building worker added. “The others inside put him out with fire extinguishers. When they brought him out, he was terribly burned, all wrapped in bandages. I don’t know if you want to live that way. It was terrible.”
The man was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he is reportedly in stable condition. Witnesses described severe burns on his arms, face, and upper body.
No injuries to any bystanders were reported.
Law enforcement has not publicly identified the man or announced a motive.
Hellbound and Down 