DES MOINES, Iowa- A 36-year-old man is hospitalized with serious burns, after witnesses say he poured a liquid on his clothing, and lit himself on fire around two o'clock this (Tuesday) afternoon. Des Moines Police say it happened just inside the doors of the library, in a breezeway between the main building and a conference room. Witnesses say once the man's clothing caught fire, he ran outdoors.
Sharon Murphy was on the sidewalk at the time, and tells WHO Radio News she wasn't sure what was going on, but thought someone was lighting their belongings on fire, and then realized it was a person who was on fire. She then saw someone come outside and use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire
Police are crediting the quick-thinking witnesses inside the library for springing into action and getting a fire extinguisher from library staff, and putting out the fire within about 45-seconds.
Medics arrived, and took the man to the hospital. Police say his condition is not known.
The incident forced the closure Locust Street near the library to be closed for about an hour. The Des Moines Library also closed