Vancouver police say 2 officers set on fire during arrest attempt

The Vancouver Police Department says two officers were trying to arrest a suspect when he set their uniforms on fire in an attempt to escape.

Two police officers avoided serious injury after a suspect reportedly used a flammable liquid to set their uniforms on fire while fleeing an arrest, according to the Vancouver Police Department.

The 40-year-old suspect was taken to hospital for treatment of his burns and remains in jail, police said in a statement Friday.

The incident happened Thursday night when the officers were on patrol in the city’s Downtown Eastside, the statement said.

The suspect, who was allegedly wanted on outstanding warrants, was being detained for jaywalking when police said he fled the scene, triggering a pursuit.

“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 statement said.

“One officer was treated by paramedics and is currently recovering at home. The second officer did not sustain physical injuries.”

Vancouver police are recommending charges, including assaulting a police officer with a weapon, obstructing a police officer, and breaching a release order, the statement said.

Surveillance video of the incident shared with CTV News shows two police officers pursuing a person whose clothes are on fire. Later, the officers can be seen walking in the opposite direction with the suspect in handcuffs.

Online court records confirm the suspect’s identity as Jordan Paul Campbell Mutual. He was charged Friday with one count of assaulting a peace officer and one count of “omitting to assist a peace officer.”

Mutual remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on April 17.

The police department says 35 officers have been assaulted while on duty in 2025.