Man arrested after attempting to set fire to Vancouver City Hall

A 36-year-old man has been arrested and faces criminal charges after allegedly trying to start a fire outside Vancouver City Hall on Friday evening.

In a statement, Vancouver police said the man allegedly used an incendiary device to start a fire outside the entrance to the Vancouver Municipal Building. The fire broke out around 10 p.m., when the building, located at Cambie Street and West 12th Avenue, was closed.

When officers arrived, the fire was under control because a witness intervened to prevent the flames from spreading. A man was found nearby and arrested.

Police say the motive of the man, who is not believed to be from Vancouver, remains under investigation.

This is the second arson attempt in this place after an earlier incident in October, when a 78-year-old man set a minivan standing in front of the hall in flames.

The man was charged with arson, possession of explosives, possession of incendiary materials and causing damage.