• Four individuals were struck by lightning near the White House on Thursday evening.
• They are facing “life-threatening” injuries, according to the DC Fire and EMS Department.
• They were found approximately 100 feet away from the statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square, WaPo reported.

Four individuals were injured by a lightning strike near the White House Thursday evening, DC Fire and EMS reported.

Two male and two female individuals are in critical condition facing unspecified “life threatening” injuries, according to the department. 

—DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) August 4, 2022

They were found approximately 100 feet away from the statue of Andrew Jackson in Lafayette Square close to 7 p.m., The Washington Post reported.

Vito Maggiolo, a spokesperson for the DC Fire and EMS Department, said Secret Service officers and United States Park Police “witnessed the lightning strike and immediately began to render aid to the four victims — which is very critical in helping with survivability.”

“We were able to quickly treat and transport those four individuals to area hospitals,” Maggiolo said at the press conference at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.

It’s unclear whether the four people knew one another, but Maggiolo said he believes the patients had been standing near a tree when the lightning hit.

Maggiolo told reporters that when thunder and lightning are present, it’s best to stay away from trees and to head indoors.

“If it roars, go indoors is the general guideline,” he said.

DC Fire and EMS did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.