IRVINE (CBSLA.com) — Authorities in Irvine say a man used pepper-spray on a female victim while her apartment complex was on fire.

A fire caused an evacuation of the four-story apartment complex in the 2300 block of Dupont Drive, near John Wayne Airport.

Officials said an evacuated resident went back to her apartment to retrieve something when she discovered a man burglarizing her apartment.

The suspect pepper-sprayed the woman and fled.

According to officials, the suspect is still at large.

The fire reportedly began in a dumpster and spread to the complex.

It is unclear if the suspect also started the fire as a distraction.

Andrea Fujii, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, spoke to Irvine Police Department Lt. John Whalen.

Whalen described the suspect as a heavyset Latino in his 30′s wearing a black leather jacket. He also said the suspect had a noticeable mole on his cheek.

He said the victim was treated on scene and “okay.”