Four people have been seriously injured after lightning struck outside the White House, firefighters said.
The four victims, two men and two women, were injured Thursday in Lafayette Park, located directly outside the White House complex, according to the District of Columbia Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
Secret Service and U.S. Park Police officers witnessed the lightning strike and rushed to render first aid, officials said.
Emergency medical crews were called to the scene shortly before 7 p.m. and took the victims to the hospital with “critical and life-threatening injuries,” fire department spokesman Vito Maggiolo said.
Part of the park remained closed for more than an hour Thursday evening with emergency crews at the scene.