Health & Science
Vancouver police seek suspect who set man's pant leg on fire
A 57-year-old man was sitting alone on a park bench near Beach Avenue and Davie Street when a stranger threw accelerant on his leg and ignited it, the Vancouver Police Department said.
The Vancouver Police Department is appealing for witnesses and dash-cam footage after a man's pant leg was set on fire in what it called an unprovoked attack early Wednesday morning.1
At approximately 12:43 a.m., the 57-year-old man was sitting alone on a park bench near Beach Avenue and Davie Street when an unknown suspect approached him, the department said. Without warning or provocation, the suspect threw a liquid accelerant onto the victim's pant leg and ignited it with a lighter before fleeing, according to the department. No words or threats were exchanged before the assault.1
The victim stamped out the fire himself and was not injured, the department said. Police searched the area immediately but did not locate the suspect.1
Suspect description
The suspect was described as approximately five foot eight inches to five foot ten inches tall with an average build, wearing dark clothing and white around his neck, according to the department.1
This was a completely unprovoked, random attack, and we urgently need anyone with information or dash-cam footage to call the non-emergency line immediately at 604-717-3321.1Constable Darren Wong, Vancouver Police Department
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Evidence
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- Vancouver Police Department VPD searches for suspect who lit man’s pant leg on fire in unprovoked attack Police Retrieved 9 Oct 2026, 10:15 UTC · published 7 Oct 2026
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