Man who set himself on fire outside the White House dies in hospital

The man who set himself on fire on a lawn near the White House on Wednesday has died in the hospital after suffering burns to 85 percent of his body.

Arnav Gupta, 33, was identified by US Park Police on Thursday after dying in the hospital.

He had been reported missing by his family around the time that he was seen setting himself on fire on a lawn at Ellipse Park near the White House.

Gupta was from Bethesda, Maryland. His motive for the deadly stunt remains unclear.

He was reported missing by his family after leaving his home at 9.20am. Three hours later, he was filmed setting himself on fire.

The Secret Service was not immediately available for more information on Thursday morning.

Several seconds later, U.S. Secret Service staff could be seen towards him with a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze.

It occurred less than a mile from the White House.

He managed to stand upright before officials got to him, amid reports that he was wearing a protective suit which would have given him some protection from the flames.

Gupta suffered burns on 85 percent of his body and there was a suspicious package on fire near him which was also extinguished, according to TMZ.

He was later transported to a nearby hospital with ‘life threatening’ injuries.

White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said he could not immediately comment.

According to his official schedule, Donald Trump was in the Oval Office at the time for a ceremonial swearing-in of the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

PHOTOS/COURTESY

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