A shocking incident unfolded in Lower Manhattan Friday afternoon when a 63-year-old man set himself on fire inside the lobby of a building that houses Google offices, sending emergency responders rushing to the scene.
The NYC man who set himself on fire at the Google office was reportedly inside the building on Hudson Street near Vandam Street shortly before 3 p.m., according to the NYPD and FDNY. Multiple 911 calls were made as the alarming incident unfolded.
First responders quickly arrived and transported the unidentified man to Weill Cornell Medical Center. He was reported to be in stable condition following the incident. Authorities have not yet identified the man’s motive, and it remains unclear what was used to ignite the fire.
The building, located in the heart of Lower Manhattan, is home to a significant Google presence as well as the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau. Google occupies more than 410,000 square feet of space in the property, making the incident particularly notable given the high-profile tenants.
Following the incident, a black backpack and several pieces of debris were reportedly left outside the building. Police and other authorities continued investigating as they worked to determine exactly what led to the man’s actions.
There were no immediate reports of additional serious injuries connected to the incident.
The bizarre and disturbing scene quickly became a major topic of conversation across New York, particularly because it happened inside a building associated with one of the world’s largest technology companies.
For now, authorities are treating the incident as an ongoing investigation. Officials have yet to release the man’s identity or provide an explanation for why he entered the Google office building before setting himself on fire.
As more details emerge, investigators are expected to examine surveillance footage, interview witnesses and determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
