A 26-year-old Vancouver man was lit on fire while sleeping on a couch outdoors on the city's east side.

The incident occurred on Saturday close to midnight.

Police said the man had been drinking when he discovered the couch and lay down to sleep. He reportedly awoke with his shirt ablaze, ran off, and then removed the burning shirt.

He was later sent to the hospital with minor burns to his chest and wrist.

A witness said three men sprayed a fluid on the sleeping man and light him on fire, according to police.

The witness intervened and got into a scuffle with the three men. When a second witness intervened the three suspects fled.

One suspect is a Caucasian male aged 25 to 40. He is about 6 feet tall, is either bald or has a shaved head, and has tattooed arms.

The other two suspects were also Caucasian and had piercings, All three were wearing black clothes.

Police are investigating. No arrests have been made.