Authorities are investigating the death of a man who ran into a fire at the Burning Man festival in Nevada, US.

A man, named as Aaron Joel Mitchell, is said to have broken through two safety perimeter barriers to run into the fire at the event. He was rescued by Black Rock City fire personnel and treated on the scene then transported to a nearby centre, but died shortly after due to his injuries.

The organisers of the festival released several statements following the incident that happened on the Saturday evening (2 September).

The organiser’s latest statement read: “Aaron Joel Mitchell, 41, succumbed Sunday morning to injuries suffered after breaking through a safety perimeter Saturday night and running into a fire at the annual Burning Man event in northern Nevada.”

Burning Man had cancelled scheduled burns throughout the day following the incident on Sunday, but proceeded with the scheduled Temple burn at 8pm Sunday night.

“We’re aware this incident has affected not only those who responded immediately on the scene, but also those who witnessed it, and our Black Rock City community more broadly,” the statement continued.

The organisers of the event list helpline number for those who may have witnessed the incident, and for others in the surrounding area.

Beginning in 1986, Burning Man is famously known for taking place at the temporary city, Black Rock City, built in Black Rock Desert, Nevada. For this year’s show more than 70,000 were expected to attend over the course of the nine-day event.

The festival comes to a close today (4 September).