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A disturbing incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at the University of California, Berkeley, when a young man allegedly experiencing a severe mental health episode set himself on fire in full view of passersby. The man on fire then proceeded to walk around.

The self-immolation was reported to authorities at 4:17 p.m. after the man, completely engulfed in flames, was seen walking at Sproul Plaza on campus.

Videos captured by bystanders (see above) have been circulating on social media and have been seen over 200,000 times. The shocking images show a man wandering around while on fire. And onlookers are attempting to extinguish the flames with water and their jackets. 

One person can be heard repeatedly shouting at the man to get on the ground, but he ignores the command. Eventually, officers with the UC Berkeley Police Department and Berkeley firefighters arrived and were able to get the situation under control.

According to The Berkeley Scanner, the victim suffered second-and-third-degree burns over most of his body and was transported to Highland Hospital in Oakland. 

Good Samaritans try to save man on fire

A woman in her 40s who attempted to help the man was also hospitalized with minor injuries, while another good Samaritan who tried to render aid was treated for burns at the scene and released.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the man was yelling about the “Mormon Mafia” and was lashing out at those attempting to extinguish the flames. 

Tony Delacruz, who witnessed the incident, told Berkeleyside that the man seemed indifferent to the fire but was aggressive toward bystanders.

Rachel Diao, another witness, reported hearing the man shout about the “Mormon Mafia” while running from and pushing away those trying to help him.

UC Berkeley officials have not confirmed whether the victim was affiliated with the university, and the incident is currently being investigated by campus police. 

The University of California Police Department (UCPD) has released a statement confirming that they received a call at roughly 4:17 p.m. about a person who was on fire.

Mental health emergency

 The statement also confirmed that mental health professionals were on the scene and that several good Samaritans attempted to render aid and put out the fire, with at least one of them sustaining unknown injuries and being transported to a local hospital.

"This incident is currently under investigation and the subject’s identity and status is unknown at this time," UCPD added. "We do not know if the individual is affiliated with the university."

The incident has raised concerns about the mental health of students and the need for better mental health resources on college campuses. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those struggling with mental health issues and the importance of providing adequate support to those who need it.