A 29-year-old man from Ottawa is facing three criminal charges after a small fire was lit outside Prime Minister Stephen Harper's official residence Saturday night.

RCMP officers arrested the man at about 9:15 p.m., after witnesses spotted him igniting a liquid on the sidewalk outside 24 Sussex Drive.

Ottawa police Staff-Sgt. Michael Haarbosch said that "once the RCMP saw what was going on -- it was instantaneous -- it was lit and they arrested him right at the scene."

Police said that the suspect has mental health issues and has been referred to the appropriate court.

Police have yet to confirm if the Harpers were home at the time of the incident, though they have indicated that the prime minister and his family were never in any danger.

After the suspect was arrested by the Mounties, he was turned over to Ottawa police who are now conducting an investigation.

The Prime Minister's Office has not commented on the incident.

Daniel Skahan, who is from Ottawa, is facing charges of mischief under $5,000, possession of an incendiary material and failure to comply.

With files from The Canadian Press