A 63-year-old man has been arrested and charged with arson after setting himself on fire in the lobby of a New York City building that houses Google.
John Butch was taken into custody on Saturday, according to the NYPD. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. Friday on Hudson Street near Vandam Street when Butch allegedly used a "lighter accelerant" to set himself ablaze in the building's lobby.
First responders were called to the scene and transported Butch to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where he is currently receiving treatment for burns and is reported to be in stable condition. Police confirmed that Butch is not an employee of the NYPD, though the building also houses the department's Internal Affairs Bureau.
Butch has been charged with criminal mischief, arson, and reckless endangerment. The building at 315 Hudson Street is a multi-tenant office building, with Google occupying a significant portion of the space.
"We are aware of an incident that occurred today in the lobby at 315 Hudson, a building we share with other tenants," a Google spokesperson stated Friday. "While the individual appeared to be seeking access to another tenant’s space in the building, we remain in close contact with local authorities. We are grateful to first responders."
