China denounces ‘despicable’ arson attack at San Francisco consulate

San Francisco police are working with the FBI to investigate a "despicable" arson attack on the Chinese consulate on New Year's Day.

The attack happened in the evening when a man jumped out of a minivan that was parked outside the consulate and poured two buckets of petrol on the front doors and lit it.

Watch: Arson attack at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco

A consulate spokesman said the fire caused a lot of damage but there were no injuries.

"The arson attack is a violent crime targeted at the Chinese consular institution in the United States, causing severe damage to the consulate facilities and posing a threat to the safety of the consulate staff and the residents living nearby," the spokesman said in a notice posted on the consulate website.

"We strongly condemn this despicable act and have already made representations with the US side on the attack.