Man Sets Himself on Fire Inside Lobby of Manhattan Building That Houses Google Offices and NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau

A 63-year-old man set himself on fire in the lobby of a Manhattan building that houses Google offices and the NYPD’s Internal Affairs Bureau on Friday afternoon.

The incident occurred just before 3 p.m. in the Hudson Square building, according to the NYPD and FDNY.

The man reportedly walked into the lobby wearing a backpack and was suddenly engulfed in flames.

🇺🇸 Just before 3 p.m. today, a 63-year-old man walked into the lobby of a Google building on Hudson Street and went up in flames.

Security ran at him, but a worker across the street said he first thought they were filming something… They weren’t.

The man is alive and stable… pic.twitter.com/YdKenfUWRi

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 28, 2026

Witnesses placed multiple 911 calls, and first responders quickly arrived at the scene.

“At first I thought they were shooting a film or something,” a building worker who witnessed the incident told the NY Daily News. “I saw the flames in the lobby. Then the flames were running around the lobby, and security was trying to put him out.”

“One of the security guards came out of the building with the burning backpack and threw it into the street,” the building worker added. “The others inside put him out with fire extinguishers. When they brought him out, he was terribly burned, all wrapped in bandages. I don’t know if you want to live that way. It was terrible.”

The man was taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he is reportedly in stable condition. Witnesses described severe burns on his arms, face, and upper body.

No injuries to any bystanders were reported.

Law enforcement has not publicly identified the man or announced a motive.

The Daily News report added:

Police found a collapsible baton inside the bag, but have not recovered any political leaflets that would suggest an act of protest. The man did not make any statements before going up in flames, cops said.

A building worker, who asked to remain anonymous, said he reviewed surveillance footage that shows the man entering the building around 2 p.m., leaving, and then returning to the lobby about an hour later, where he burst into flames.

A Google spokesperson told the Daily Mail that they do not believe the act was aimed at them.

“We are aware of an incident that occurred today in the lobby at 315 Hudson, a building we share with other tenants.”

“While the individual appeared to be seeking access to another tenant’s space in the building, we remain in close contact with local authorities,” the statement continued. “We are grateful to first responders.”