WASHINGTON (7News) — A man arrested on Capitol Hill on Tuesday ‘smelled like fuel’, was carrying flammable materials at the time and was likely traveling from out of state to deliver supplies to members of Congress, US Capitol Police said Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities said the man was stopped while being scanned at the entrance to the visitor center located beneath the U.S. Capitol and near the Supreme Court building. Capitol Police said they found a flare gun, a lighter, a torch lighter and two bottles of “accelerator” on him, one of which had found its way into the man’s backpack and clothing.

ALSO READ |Proposed Metro bus route changes include renaming and removing 500 stops

This all happened around 12:20 a.m. after police said they saw the man wearing heavy clothing, slowly walking towards the building and frequently turning his head from side to side. Police confronted the man and asked him to put his backpack and jacket on the sieve conveyor belt.

The man reportedly complied with police as he was being arrested after finding the items, telling officers he had documents he wanted to “deliver to Congress,” according to USCP Chief Thomas Manger.

USCP Investigators said they tracked the suspect’s previous movements and located his vehicle at Northeast 9th and Maryland Avenue. Authorities said the man’s vehicle was taken away and the scene was cleared.

Although visitors were at the visitor center at the time of the incident, all tours were closed for the day due to police investigation. Police said visitors inside were not in immediate danger and were not notified.

It is unclear whether the man planned to set fire to himself or the items in his bag, but the investigation is ongoing. Authorities said the man was likely from out of state and that they were investigating posts the man allegedly made on social media.