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. He forced entry into the vehicle and fashioned a makeshift torch from items inside, igniting the van, according to Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson R/Const. Gary O’Brien.
Swift Police and Fire Response
Officers arrived quickly, detaining the suspect as firefighters extinguished the flames. The ferry approaching from Vancouver delayed docking for over an hour while emergency crews secured the area.
No injuries occurred, and damage remained confined to the van.
Charges and Court Details
Authorities held the suspect overnight and laid one count of arson. He secured bail with restrictions prohibiting visits to the Hullo terminal and possession of incendiary devices. His next court date is March 24.
O’Brien described the individual as someone “new to Nanaimo” and withheld his name.
