A 40-year-old man has been charged after allegedly lighting a fire at the Gungahlin Joint Emergency Services Centre on Thursday afternoon.

About 5pm, the man allegedly entered the foyer of the centre carrying a jerry can. Police allege he poured petrol on to the floor before throwing the jerry can inside the building, igniting the fuel with a lighter.

The man then fled the scene in a vehicle.

The fire was extinguished by police and ACT Fire and Rescue. No members of the public were inside the centre at the time and no injuries were reported.

Following a review of CCTV footage, police identified the man and located him at a residence in Franklin about 9.40pm, where he was arrested.

He has been charged with arson and acts endangering life.

Gungahlin Police Station remains operational, however members of the Canberra north community who need to attend a police station are asked to visit Belconnen or City Police Stations while repair work is underway.