Two men and two women were seriously injured after being hit in Lafayette Park, less than 150 meters from President Joe Biden’s official residence in Washington. Members of the US Secret Service were deployed to provide emergency assistance to the park due to its proximity to the White House. The lightning struck near a tree a few meters away from the fence surrounding the presidential residence and offices. The District of Columbia Fire Department and EMS were called to the scene around 6:52 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Spokesman Vito Maggiolo issued a statement inside his car due to “significant storm conditions.” “All four victims suffered critical, life-threatening injuries,” he said. “We were able to treat and quickly transport all four patients and they were all transported to area hospitals.” Mr. Maggiolo thanked the US Secret Service and the United States Park Police for their immediate response and assistance to the four individuals. They have not yet been named and it is unclear if they were known to each other. Lafayette Park is a seven-acre public space north of the White House that is especially popular with visitors in the summer months. A flood warning was issued for the District of Columbia following the incident. The violent storm swept across Washington as temperatures soared above 32.2C – but high levels of humidity meant the heat was likened to 37.8C.