16.62°C Vancouver

Jul 27, 2022 6:34 PM - Connect News

VPD investigates after woman set on fire

Share On
vpd-investigates-after-woman-set-on-fire
Vancouver Police are investigating after a woman was allegedly set on fire while sitting on a sidewalk on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside Monday. (Photo - Vancouver police/Twitter)

Vancouver Police are investigating after a woman was allegedly set on fire while sitting on a sidewalk on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside Monday.

"This was a shocking attack that targeted a vulnerable member of our community," says Constable Tania Visintin. "We need witnesses and anyone with information to call police and help solve this crime."

The victim, a woman in her 50s, was sitting on the west side of Dunlevy near Powell on July 25 at around 1:30 a.m. A stranger came up to her, poured a flammable substance on her head, and lit it on fire. The woman immediately ran to a nearby business to get help. She was taken to hospital for serious burn injuries.

The suspect, described as a white man in his 30s, fled the area before police were called.

Investigators are looking into a second incident later the same day. A man called police alleging his homemade structure was set on fire while he was asleep in the south lane of Columbia Street near West 5th Avenue between 12:30 and 1:30 a.m. He put out the fire himself and managed to escape without any injuries.

"Investigators don’t believe the two incidents are connected," adds Constable Visintin. "However, it is still very early in the investigation, so we are not ruling anything out."

Both arsons remain under investigation.

Latest news

our-trade-talks-with-washington-will-continue-in-the-coming-weeks-dominic-leblanc
CanadaAug 01, 2025

Our trade talks with Washington will continue in the coming weeks: Dominic LeBlanc

Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-US trade, says that our trade talks with Washington will continue in the coming weeks, his comments come after President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Canada from 25 percent to 35 percent. LeBlanc, who was in Washington during the time, said that no development is expected in the near future. Prime Minister Mark Carney's minister said that he will speak to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick next week and that the two will meet face-to-face in late August to discuss the issue. LeBlanc said that Canada's ambassador to the US, Christine
charges-laid-in-august-2024-homicide-of-dillan-unger-in-langley
BCAug 01, 2025

Charges laid in August 2024 homicide of Dillan Unger in Langley

Charges have been laid following an investigation into an August 2024 homicide in Langley, British Columbia. On August 2, 2024, at 12:46 a.m., Langley RCMP responded to a report of gun shots in the 7000-block of 202B Street in Langley. Two men suffering from gun shot wounds were subsequently located at the hospital. One of the men succumbed to his injuries and the second was released from hospital. To further the investigation, IHIT identified the victim as 41-year-old Dillan Unger of Langley. Throughout the course of this investigation, IHIT has worked in close partnership with the Langley
tragic-incident-near-comox-lake
BCAug 01, 2025

Falling tree kills mother, 26, and five-month-old baby at B.C. campground

A mother and her five-month-old baby have been killed by a tree that fell in a Vancouver Island campground. Police say emergency responders were called to the scene in Cumberland, B.C., on Thursday afternoon.RCMP say that the 26-year-old mother died at the scene and the infant was taken to hospital but did not survive.They say there is no criminality suspected in the initial investigation, and no further details on the case will be released.BC Emergency Health Services says they received a call for ambulances to attend in the 1100 block of Comox Lake Road, the address for Cumberland Lake Park
trump-orders-us-nuclear-subs-repositioned-over-statements-from-ex-russian-leader-medvedev
WorldAug 01, 2025

Trump orders US nuclear subs repositioned over statements from ex-Russian leader Medvedev

President Donald Trump says he's ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines. This decision comes after what he calls ``highly provocative statements'' by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Trump posted on his social media site that he's taking action in case Medvedev's words are more than just rhetoric. He emphasizes the importance of words and hopes for no unintended consequences. The impact on U.S. nuclear subs,which routinely patrol global hotspots, remains unclear. This move escalates tensions between Washington and Moscow at a delicate time. Trump also mentions sen
b-c-park-reopens-while-search-continues-for-man-missing-in-coquihalla-river
BCAug 01, 2025

B.C. park reopens, while search continues for man missing in Coquihalla River

Police say the Othello Tunnels in Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park in Hope, B.C., has reopened, while a search to find a missing man who fell into the river last weekend continues. RCMP closed off the area in the park as a police underwater recovery team went into the Coquihalla River on Wednesday to try to find the 19-year-old man but was unsuccessful. There was also no sign of the man using a drone to search along the river on Thursday. RCMP say they will resume the search on Saturday, and parts of the park may be restricted to public access due to those efforts. Hope RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike S

Related News