Man self-immolates outside Donald Trump hush money trial as jury selected

A policeman could be seen hurrying with a fire extinguisher and CNN’s reporter said there was a heavy stench of burning flesh and fuel.

Burning clothes were strewn at the site, which was locked down by authorities, while ambulances lined up nearby on standby, an Agence France-Presse correspondent at the scene said, describing a strong smell of burning chemicals.

“A male did light himself on fire outside of the Supreme Courthouse. We’re still gathering details from the field,” a New York Police Department spokesman said.

New York’s police department had promised a major deployment to ensure the trial passes off safely, with the force’s head of intelligence John Hart calling it a “major challenge”.

The fire department did not respond to a request for comment, but media reported the man had been taken away for medical treatment.

Trump complains jury selection moving too fast in hush money trial

The fire appeared to be located at a park opposite the 100 Centre Street courthouse, an area used by authorities to hold both pro-Trump and anti-Trump protesters, as well as by some members of the media.

Judge Juan Merchan has said opening arguments in Trump’s trial would start Monday if jury selection had been finished.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of business fraud as part of a scheme to cover up hush money paid to a porn star so that the story would not come out just before the 2016 presidential election, in which he beat Hillary Clinton.

More to follow …