By Canadian Press

Man charged with assault after police say two officers in Vancouver were set on fire

Apr 12, 2025 | 12:40 PM

VANCOUVER — A man has been charged after allegedly setting two officers from the Vancouver Police Department on fire earlier this week.

The department says the 40-year old faces one count of assaulting a police officer and one count of obstructing a police officer.

The incident happened on Thursday night when the officers were on foot patrol in the city’s Downtown Eastside, trying to detain a man for jaywalking.

Police say he was wanted for other offences and tried to run but was caught, and police say that’s when they believe he used a flammable substance to set the officers’ uniforms on fire.

The suspect escaped and the officers put out the fires themselves, and other officers later arrested the man.

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Police say one officer is now recovering at home after receiving treatment from paramedics, while the second officer did not sustain physical injuries.

Police say the suspect received treatment at hospital for burns and remained in custody on Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April. 12, 2025.

The Canadian Press