A 52-year-old man was arrested overnight in the small town of Wynndel, B.C. after reports a naked man fired a gun at workers clearing power lines on or near his property.

David Basaraba — who runs Wynnwood Cellars, on a neighbouring property — said he heard four shots ring out in quick succession Tuesday afternoon.

"A few minutes later, a Fortis, or a Fortis contractor came into my driveway, and said that some naked man rushed his partner, firing shots at him," he said.

Basaraba said his neighbour has a history of seemingly random confrontations, and of viewing strangers as a threat.

"He's barricaded himself in there. He doesn't drive," said Basaraba.

Police negotiated through the night

Creston RCMP were called to the property, in the 5500 block of Highway 3A, at about 2:25 p.m. PT Tuesday and blocked off the property and highway to negotiate with the suspect.

The standoff lasted until the early hours of Wednesday morning, when "the suspect became extremely agitated and ended all communications with the negotiator," said Cpl. Dave Tyreman in a release.

At 1:55 a.m., the 52-year-old man exited his house and was arrested by police after a minor struggle.

"The motive for the shooting is unknown at this time," said police.

Fortis — the electricity provider in the area — has confirmed one of its contractors was clearing trees in the area, but none of the contracted employees was injured.