LONG BEACH, Calif.–A man who used gasoline to set himself on fire in the Los Angeles River channel in Long Beach died Tuesday at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
Authorities were called at 9:05 p.m. Monday to the river channel under Long Beach Boulevard, Long Beach fire Capt. Richard Brandt said.
The man, who was found in some bushes in a dry part of the concrete channel, was rushed to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center with second- and third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body. He died of his injuries hours later.
“He said he had reasons for doing it,” Brandt said. “He didn’t say why, but he said he had reasons.”
Authorities were trying to identify the man.
“Nobody knows who he is,” the captain said. “He spoke very few words and said he had his reasons for lighting himself on fire, but refused to give them.”
