11.3°C Vancouver

Jan 12, 2021 11:28 PM -

Homeless woman OK after man tries to set her blankets ablaze in Vancouver: police

Share On
homeless-woman-ok-after-man-tries-to-set-her-blankets-ablaze-in-vancouver-police
A person wanted in connection to an arson case is shown in a screengrab from surveillance video taken December 13, 2020 in this handout image. A homeless woman is unhurt but police want to catch the man who tried to set her blankets on fire as she slept near a Vancouver street. A statement from the Vancouver Police Department on Tuesday says the apparent arson happened at around 4 a.m. on Dec. 13. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Vancouver Police Department

A homeless woman is unhurt but police want to catch the man who tried to set her blankets on fire as she slept on a Vancouver street.

A statement from the Vancouver Police Department on Tuesday says the apparent arson happened at around 4 a.m. on Dec. 13.

Sgt. Steve Addison says the woman, who's in her 30s, was wrapped in a jacket and blankets and the man paced around her as she lay on the ground, then set her belongings on fire and walked away.

Addison says video the department just acquired shows the fire smouldering before flames emerge, but the woman woke up in time to avoid serious harm.

The statement says the suspect was wearing a unique black and white Oakland Raiders jacket and appears white, 35 to 50 years old and between five-foot-five and five-foot-10.

Addison says investigators would like to speak with the victim or anyone with information about the attack.

Latest news

surrey-police-seek-public-help-to-locate-suspect-wanted-on-assault-charge
BCApr 20, 2026

Surrey police seek public help to locate suspect wanted on assault charge

Surrey Police Service is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a man wanted in connection with an alleged assault earlier this month. According to a Surrey Police Service news release, frontline officers began investigating on April 3 at about 8:35 a.m. after a report that a man had allegedly assaulted a woman with a weapon in the 17600 block of 58A Avenue. Police said the victim sustained minor injuries. The release states that on April 4, the BC Prosecution Service approved a charge against the suspect. Jason Donald Whyte, 54, is now wanted on a province-wide warrant for one count
alberta-to-introduce-legislation-to-end-seasonal-time-changes-premier-says
AlbertaApr 20, 2026

Alberta to introduce legislation to end seasonal time changes, premier says

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province plans to eliminate twice-a-year clock changes and remain on daylight time year-round, according to comments she made to Postmedia. Smith said the change would mean Albertans would no longer set clocks forward in the spring or back in the fall, instead staying on the current time throughout the year. On a practical level, that would result in darker mornings during winter months but extended daylight in the evening. The premier indicated legislation to implement the change is expected to be introduced later this week. Details of how the transitio
immigration-department-implementing-fixes-after-audit-flags-critical-weaknesses-in-student-visa-oversight
CanadaApr 20, 2026

Immigration department implementing fixes after audit flags “critical weaknesses” in student visa oversight

Canada’s immigration department is implementing an action plan after a federal audit found significant gaps in how it monitored and investigated problematic international student visas. According to a report by Auditor General Karen Hogan published earlier this year, thousands of student visa files flagged as potentially non-compliant were not fully investigated. The report identified what it described as “critical weaknesses” in oversight within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Deputy Minister Ted Gallivan, who assumed the role last month, said the department is taking step
WorldApr 20, 2026

Eight children killed in Shreveport domestic shooting; suspect shot dead by police

Eight children between the ages of one and 14 were killed in a shooting described by police as a domestic disturbance in Shreveport early Sunday, according to local authorities. Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said officers responded around 6 a.m. to reports of gunfire and found multiple victims across three locations connected to the incident. A total of 10 people were shot, Smith said, with the eight children confirmed dead. Police said the suspected shooter fled the scene in a vehicle and was later fatally shot by officers following a pursuit. Authorities have not released the suspect?
ottawa-approves-gradual-increase-in-direct-passenger-cargo-flights-with-china
CanadaApr 20, 2026

Ottawa approves gradual increase in direct passenger, cargo flights with China

The federal government says it will allow a gradual increase in direct air travel between Canada and China, expanding both passenger and cargo flight capacity after years of reduced service. Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said the change will permit Canadian and Chinese airlines to increase direct passenger flights and operate up to 20 cargo flights per week, with reciprocal access to destinations in both countries. The announcement follows outreach by Prime Minister Mark Carney during a visit to Beijing in January. According to a federal statement, the adjustment is intended to support t

Related News