Woman sets herself on fire in Chicago congressman’s office

CHICAGO — Police say a woman walked into U.S. Rep. Danny Davis’ office on Chicago’s West Side, drank out of a bottle of hand sanitizer, poured the sanitizer over herself and set herself on fire with a lighter.

Authorities haven’t identified the woman who was taken to a hospital in serious condition with burns. Police say her condition has stabilized.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won't miss a trending story.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: Refugee sets herself alight at immigration camp on Nauru

Davis wasn’t in the office at the time.

A news release from Davis’ office says the woman came in around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

READ MORE: Pakistan rape victim sets herself on fire: police

Davis says he doesn’t know why. He says the woman only spoke with office staff briefly before picking up the hand sanitizer. Staff responded with a fire extinguisher, but the woman ran out while still on fire.

Davis is a Democrat who was first elected in 1996.