LAST UPDATE | 19 Apr

A MAN HAS set himself on fire outside the court where Donald Trump is standing trial.

Television reporters who were at the scene to cover the trial have described seeing a man be engulfed in flames.

The incident occurred moments after the full panel of 12 jurors and six alternates was selected for the trial of the former US president in a hush money cover-up case.

The judge confirmed the completion of the selection after four days of jury screening in which prospective jurors were grilled about their politics and ability to give Trump a fair trial.

A spokesperson for the NYPD confirmed: “A male did light himself on fire outside of the Supreme Courthouse. We’re still gathering details from the field.”

The fire department did not respond to a request for comment but local media reported the man had been taken away on a stretcher.

A witness who gave his name as Dave, 73, told AFP he saw a man throwing pamphlets before dousing himself with an unspecified liquid and lighting himself on fire.

The incident happened in a park opposite the 100 Centre Street courthouse, which has been used by authorities to corral protesters, both pro-Trump and anti-Trump.

Trump’s criminal trial, the first of a former president, is being conducted amid tight security in a 15th floor courtroom swarming with Secret Service officers as well as court police.

New York’s police department had promised a major deployment to ensure the trial passes off safely, with the force’s head of intelligence John Hart calling it a “major challenge.”