ATLANTA — Police said a protester set him or herself on fire outside a Midtown office building that is home to the Israeli Consulate Friday afternoon, leaving two people injured.

Police said that around 12:15 p.m., a protester arrived outside the building at 1100 Spring Street and set him or herself on fire using gasoline as an accelerant. A security guard nearby saw what was happening and rushed to try to put out the flames. He was left with burns.

The protester sustained full-thickness burns all over his or her body and was taken to the hospital in critical condition. That person’s identity has not been released. The security guard’s name and condition have also not been released.

“This was likely an extreme act of political protest,” Atlanta police Chief Darin Schierbaum said.

Our partners at Channel 2 report that it appears there are at least two burned articles of clothing outside the building.

The building is home to several businesses including Selig, ParkMobile and Cognosos as well as the offices of the Israeli Consulate.

The Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast released a statement around 4:30pm:

Atlanta police as well as FBI and ATF agents are at the scene.

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