Nanaimo RCMP are investigating a suspicious fire that was intentionally set on a wooden walking bridge early Monday.
About 6 am a dog walker approached the bridge near the duck pond in Bowen Park, and noticed smoke, then flames, coming from the end of the bridge.
The 58 year old citizen ran back to his nearby home and grabbed a fire extinguisher, and was able to put out the smoldering wooden post.
RCMP say if it wasn't for the man's actions the flames could easily have spread to the nearby, tinder dry forest.
Anyone with information is asked to call RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
The bridge had already been closed to public use because of its age and condition.