Man Who Set 'Incredibly Dangerous' Fire Inside SF Transbay Terminal Convicted: DA

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A man accused of setting off a blaze inside the Transbay Terminal in San Francisco has been convicted of possessing an incendiary device, prosecutors said.

A jury found Viengphet Sasone, 48, guilty of possessing a lighter, according to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office. The San Francisco Public Defender's Office added that the jury acquitted Sasone of two other charges for actually setting the fire and vandalism.

It's unclear how much time he faces at sentencing.

Prosecutors say Sasone lit bedding on top of a garbage can under an escalator within the MUNI plaza of the Transbay Terminal around 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 13, 2025.

A security guard witnessed Sasone setting the fire and alerted his colleague, who put it out with a fire extinguisher, prosecutors said.

When officers arrived at the scene, they took Sasone into custody and seized an orange lighter from him, prosecutors said.

"Mr. Sasone’s conduct was incredibly dangerous and but for the swift intervention of Transbay security staff could have resulted in significant damage to the Transbay Terminal and disruption to the passengers who rely on it to get to and from downtown," District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said. "I would like to thank the Transbay staff for their quick work and partnership with law enforcement that works to keep the public safe."

This story was updated with more information from the San Francisco Public Defender's Office.