One man is facing a charge of arson after he allegedly set fire to a utility van on the Hullo Ferry dock in Nanaimo.
Nanaimo Fire Rescue and RCMP responded to the scene of the fire just after 4 p.m. on Friday, March 13.
Reserve Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said a crowd of passengers were at the terminal waiting for the Hullo Ferry that was scheduled to arrive from Vancouver at 4:30 p.m.
“Witnesses said they saw an individual who was acting erratically. He jumped the barrier and ran down the dock and he allegedly jimmied the lock and broke into a utility van,” O’Brien said.
“The next thing you know, people see plumes of black smoke and we later learned that he had put together a makeshift torch and he set fire to the interior of the van.”
Firefighters confined the flames to the interior of the van. Because flammable materials were discovered inside and around the vehicle, police and firefighters escorted people waiting for the ferry to the inside of the terminal until the blaze was brought under control and firefighters determined the scene was safe and the incoming ferry, delayed and waiting in Nanaimo Harbour, was allowed to dock and disembark passengers.
“We arrested, without incident, a 41-year-old man,” O’Brien said.
The suspect was held in custody and appeared in court Saturday, March 14, where he was charged with one count of arson.
Police do not know what factors or motive was behind the man’s actions.
“We don’t know what the contributing factors are,” O’Brien said. “There may have been other factors, such as mental health or, possibly alcohol at play, but we’re not sure. He was definitely acting erratically and that was confirmed by a number of witnesses. There were some factors at play. We’re not sure what they were.”
The van was completely destroyed, but there were no reports of injuries from the incident.
O’Brien said the accused is a newcomer to Nanaimo. He was released on conditions he not return to the Hullo Ferry terminal and to not possess incendiary devices. His next scheduled appearance in provincial court in Nanaimo is March 24.