DANVILLE, Va. (WSET) — Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler was attacked by a man who poured gasoline on him and set him on fire on Wednesday, according to reports.

On Wednesday afternoon, the vice-mayor of Danville, James Buckner, confirmed to ABC13 that Vogler had been attacked and set on fire. Buckner said Vogler is being flown by helicopter to the UNC burn unit in Chapel Hill.

"Please keep our colleague and our brother in your prayers," Buckner said.

The Danville Police Department said the incident happened around 11:30 a.m., when officers responded to the 700 block of Main Street in Danville for the report of a man being set on fire.

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DPD said first responders gave him medical attention but don't know the full extent of his injuries.

News of the incident first broke when the owner of a local magazine took to Facebook to share the news that Vogler had been attacked.

Southwest Virginia-based publication Showcase Magazine owner and publisher Andrew Brooks posted a video on social media, saying that Vogler was at the magazine's office when a man forced his way inside. According to Brooks, the man was carrying a five-gallon container of gas and poured it over Vogler.

"Lee attempted to flee, ran to the front of the building," Brooks said in the video. "The individual followed him and set him on fire."

The police department's reported witness account of the incident aligned with Brooks' account. They said the suspect fled the scene, but police stopped his vehicle and took him into custody. DPD identified the suspect as 29-year-old Shotsie Michael Buck Hayes.

The police department said that the attack isn't related to Vogler's status as an elected official.

"Based on the investigation at the time of this release, the victim and the suspect are known to each other and the attack stems from a personal matter not related to the victim’s position on Danville City Council or any other political affiliation," DPD said.

Charges against Hayes are coming, police said.

We are working to learn more information about the incident and will update this story when we have new information.