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A man set himself ablaze Friday morning outside the Workers’ Compensation Board in downtown Edmonton.

“The only person who was in danger today is the one individual who set himself on fire,” Edmonton police Sgt. Rick Abbott said later in the day.

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The man set his clothing on fire just before 10 a.m. outside 9912 107 St. before trying to get inside.

“We’re just happy that nobody gained access to the building and there were no other people endangered,” said Abbott, who added the flames were doused within seconds with the help of emergency responders, WCB security guards and passersby.

“I’m deeply saddened by this morning’s events,” WCB president and CEO Guy Kerr said. “I know our staff are always willing to help anyone in distress, whether or not we have an existing relationship with them. We will always provide help to anyone who asks for it.”

Photo by Shaughn Butts / Edmonton Journal

Burned and smouldering clothing, including what looked like a pair of blue jeans, were strewn on the sidewalk where paramedics had loaded the man into an ambulance and taken him to hospital.