Shocking moment arsonist sets himself on fire during targeted attack at restaurant

New York Post

28-05-2025

An alleged arsonist has been captured, accidentally setting himself alight during a targeted attack at a South Melbourne restaurant last year.
In crystal clear CCTV footage released by police on Wednesday, a man is seen entering the Al Marjan restaurant in Campbellfield after ramming through the door in a silver Mercedes-Benz E240.
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The man, dressed in black with his hood pulled up, then pours accelerant out of a red jerry can across the floor of the restaurant and the bar, slipping and sliding around in the process.
He does not seem to take notice of the liquid splashing back on him.
6 An alleged arsonist has been captured, accidentally setting himself alight during a targeted attack at a South Melbourne restaurant last year.
Victoria Police via Storyful
On the way back to the waiting car, he sets the accelerant on fire – and doesn't make it very far before the flames catch on the leg of his tracksuit.
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He is forced to drop and roll around on the wet ground in a desperate attempt to extinguish the fire before fleeing in the Mercedes.
Emergency services were called to reports of a fire at the Hume Highway business shortly after 4:30 am on May 21, 2024.
6 The man, dressed in black with his hood pulled up, then pours accelerant out of a red jerry can across the floor of the restaurant and the bar, slipping and sliding around in the process.
Victoria Police via Storyful
6 He does not seem to take notice of the liquid splashing back on him, according to reports.
Victoria Police via Storyful
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The Hume Highway business only sustained minor damage in what turned out to be the first of two fiery attacks on the Al Marjan business, targeted again on November 6.
Police hope the CCTV will help identify the man involved.
'This is yet another example of just how unpredictable fire is and the inherent dangers of arson – it is probable this man will have needed some kind of treatment for significant burns,' Taskforce Lunar Detective Inspector Graham Banks said.
6 On the way back to the waiting car, the man set the accelerant on fire and didn't make it very far before the flames caught on the leg of his tracksuit.
Victoria Police via Storyful
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6 The man was forced to drop and roll around on the wet ground in a desperate attempt to extinguish the fire before fleeing in the Mercedes.
Victoria Police via Storyful
'We are conscious that those involved in lighting the fires are likely the puppets for those pulling the strings in this syndicate, and they are being left with serious – or life-changing, as we've seen previously – burn injuries.
'Arson attacks put not only people's livelihoods at stake but also people's lives.
'We are doing everything we can to bring this dispute and the criminality linked to it to an end, but we need the community's support and assistance.'
6 Police hope the CCTV will help identify the man involved.
Victoria Police via Storyful
He is described as approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall with a large build and an olive complexion.
The Mercedes was bearing cloned plates at the time and has since been recovered.
Anyone who recognises the man or with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.