A 41-year-old man faces an arson charge following a vehicle fire that disrupted Hullo ferry operations in Nanaimo on Friday.
Incident Unfolds at Ferry Terminal
Around 4 p.m., as passengers queued at the terminal, the man scaled a fence and dashed along the dock toward a utility van. Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson R/Const. Gary O’Brien stated that the individual forced entry into the vehicle and fashioned a “homemade torch” from items inside before igniting it.
Officers quickly arrived, detained the suspect, and firefighters extinguished the flames. A ferry heading to Nanaimo from Vancouver remained unable to dock for over an hour while emergency crews secured the area.
No Injuries, Limited Damage
The incident resulted in no injuries and damage confined solely to the van, according to O’Brien.
Charges and Release Conditions
Authorities held the suspect overnight and formally charged him with one count of arson. He secured bail with strict conditions, including a ban from the Hullo terminal and possession of incendiary devices. His next court date is set for March 24.
O’Brien described the man as “new to Nanaimo” and withheld his identity.
