An Elgin County man is facing several charges after police say he held a man at knifepoint during a confrontation outside a house fire.

Elgin County OPP and firefighters were called on Saturday around 6:20 p.m. to a residential fire on Brayside Street in Port Stanley.

Neighbours told police that there had been some type of confrontation outside of the house on fire. The man was allegedly holding the homeowner at knifepoint. 

Witnesses told police the suspect then fled down the street and broke into a nearby house.

Police say the suspect was located on the street a short distance away and when confronted by police, resisted arrest. 

While being transported in the police cruiser, he continued to resist causing extensive damage to the police vehicle.   

As a result of the investigation, police have charged the suspect with, assault with a weapon, uttering threats, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, resisting a police officer, mischief under $5,000, break and enter and assault with the intent to resist arrest.

He is currently being held in custody pending a show cause bail hearing.

Police along with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office are currently on scene on Brayside Street investigating the cause of the residential fire.