An alleged arsonist was arrested early Tuesday morning following a prompt report from a concerned citizen about a burning vehicle in the Darwin CBD, NT Police said.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Bland said around 3:50am, police received reports of a vehicle fire at a carpark on Mitchell Street.

Firies were deployed and quickly extinguished the fire while Police CCTV operators used cameras to identify and locate the alleged arsonist who was arrested in the vicinity a short time later.

The 47-year-old Darwin man has been charged with arson, threats to burn or destroy, and trespassing.

He is scheduled to appear before Darwin Local Court today.

The maximum penalty for arson is life imprisonment, while an attempt to commit arson attracts a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.

Snr Sgt Bland lauded the concerned citizen for immediately reporting the incident and the police CCTV operators for immediately identifying the offender.

“Quick action from our CCTV operators and a concerned member of the public have allowed our members to apprehend the alleged offender almost immediately,” he said.

“We are still requesting anyone in the area at the time of the fire, who witnessed any suspicious behaviour, to make contact on 131 444.”