WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- A man set himself on fire Friday afternoon on the National Mall here in the U.S. capital, local police confirmed.

D.C. police rushed to the site at the 7th Street and Independence Avenue following reports of a man on fire. The man was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

D.C. police spokeswoman Saray Leon said the man was "conscious and breathing" when the law enforcement personnel responded. The cause of the fire remained unknown.