Man arrested after two VPD officers set on fire in the Downtown Eastside

The Vancouver Police Department says two officers are recovering after being set on fire by a man in the Downtown Eastside Thursday night.

The officers were conducting foot patrols when they observed a man jaywalking in the area of East Hastings and Carrall streets.

As they attempted to detain him, he tried to run away but officers pursued him.

“As they were taking the suspect into custody, it’s believed the man used a flammable substance to set the officers’ uniforms on fire, then continued to flee,” the VPD said.

The officers were able to put out the fires themselves after radioing for assistance.

Additional officers arrested the 40-year-old suspect — who was wanted province-wide for 10 separate offences — a short distance away.

“One officer was treated by paramedics and is currently recovering at home,” police said.

“The second officer did not sustain physical injuries.”

The suspect is facing several charges, including assaulting a police officer with a weapon, breaching a release order, and obstructing a police officer.

The VPD says more than 35 officers have been assaulted on the job in 2025 — a 25 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.