Man who set himself on fire on White House lawn dies

A man who set himself on fire outside the White House has died, police in the US have confirmed.

The man, who has been identified as Arnav Gupta, set himself on fire at roughly 12.20pm local time yesterday.

He was seen calmly walking around outside the White House as flames covered his body, while emergency officers rushed to his aid.

US website TMZ reports that he suffered burns to 85% of his body, while a "suspicious package" next to him was also alight.

Gupta, 33 was reported missing by his family on Wednesday, and police said they were concerned for his physical and emotional welfare.

Secret Service spokesman Jeffrey Adams said in a statement yesterday that the agency’s Uniformed Division Officers “responded in seconds” after the “male individual lit himself on fire.”

Footage posted on social media shows police rushing to the scene.

Gupta set himself on fire on the Ellipse, an area popular with tourists between the White House and the Washington Monument, authorities said.

He was rushed to hospital but medics were unable to save his life.

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."

The Park Police confirmed he died late on Wednesday.

No one else was injured in the incident.

The investigation was being turned over to the Metropolitan Police Department, the Park Police said.