Armed suspect remains on roof after Sacramento apartment fire, police say

Sacramento police were working Monday night to persuade a suspect to surrender after authorities said he armed himself with a knife and lit a fire at an apartment building, officials said.

The incident began shortly after 7:45 p.m. when Sacramento police officers responded to the 20 block of La Fresa Court to investigate a report of a person with an outstanding warrant, police said.

Police said the suspect later lit a fire inside the building and armed himself with a knife before going onto the roof.

Sacramento Fire Department crews responded to the scene, but the suspect's presence on the roof initially limited firefighters' access to parts of the building. The fire has since been extinguished, according to officials.

Sacramento police said crisis negotiators are at the scene and are working to get the suspect to peacefully surrender. Officers urged people to avoid the area while the incident remains active.

There was no immediate word on whether anyone was injured.