Latest news with #AlMarjan
Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Straits Times
Aussie police video shows shocking moment when arsonist sets himself on fire by accident
A video released by the Victoria state police shows a man accidentally setting himself on fire inside the Al Marjan restaurant on May 21, 2024. PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM VICTORIA POLICE/FACEBOOK Aussie police video shows shocking moment when arsonist sets himself on fire by accident Think of it as an occupational hazard that you won't get workmen's compensation for. A man in Melbourne tried to torch a restaurant in a targeted attack but ended up setting his clothes on fire. A video of the 2024 incident – edited with footages taken from security cameras – was released on May 28 by the Victoria state police in Australia in an appeal to the public to help find the suspect. It is not clear why the police released the video one year after the incident. The man tried to burn down the Al Marjan restaurant in South Melbourne on May 21, 2024, said the police. He forced his way into the restaurant by ramming its door with his car at around 4.30am that day. In the video, a man in a black jacket with its hood pulled up is seen pouring accelerant out of a red jerrycan onto the floor and at the bar. He slips and slides around as the flammable liquid greases the floor, barely able to keep his balance, and seemingly oblivious that he is also splashing the liquid on himself. He sets the accelerant on fire, and tries to run away, but the fire quickly catches the legs of his tracksuit. The man drops and rolls on the floor to extinguish the flame spreading to his clothes. The next clip shows him already outside the restaurant and running towards his car, his pants still on fire. He drops to the ground again and rolls a few times. When he finally manages to put out the fire, he steps into the car and is apparently driven off by an accomplice. '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 in a statement released on May 28. 'Detectives are hopeful that today's release of CCTV will provide further avenues of enquiry, and that someone may recognise the man and provide information on his current whereabouts,' Victoria police said on Facebook. The restaurant reported minor damage from the attempted arson, but it was again targeted on Nov 6, 2024. '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,' said Insp Banks. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New York Post
28-05-2025
- New York Post
Shocking moment arsonist sets himself on fire during targeted attack at restaurant
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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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 Advertisement 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.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Arsonist caught on camera setting himself alight while trying to burn down restaurant
The moment an arsonist sets himself alight during a botched attack on a Middle Eastern restaurant has been captured on camera. Footage from inside Al Marjan in Melbourne, Australia, shows the man pouring liquid on benchtops and furniture before setting the restaurant - and himself - on fire. The crook, wearing a black hooded jumper, inadvertently doused himself in petrol as he used a jerry can to pour the accelerant all over the restaurant. In the footage, the arsonist is seen dropping to the ground in an attempt to extinguish himself before stumbling several times as he raced out the door. The man had arrived in a silver Mercedes Benz E240, which he rammed through the door of the restaurant to get inside. Detectives believe the incident is linked to the state's illegal tobacco trade and have established a special taskforce to catch those responsible. 'This is yet another example of just how unpredictable fire is and the inherent dangers of arson,' Taskforce Lunar Detective Inspector Graham Banks said. 'It is probable this man will have needed some kind of treatment for significant burns.' Emergency services were called to the Al Marjan restaurant, on the Hume Highway, shortly after the man had fled. Detectives said the Mercedes used to ram through the restaurant's door has since been recovered with cloned license plates.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Wild moment alleged arsonist sets himself alight during bungled attack inside a Middle Eastern restaurant
The moment an alleged arsonist sets himself alight during a botched attack on a Middle Eastern restaurant has been captured on CCTV. Footage from inside Al Marjan in Campbellfield, in Melbourne 's north, shows the man pouring liquid on benchtops and furniture before setting the restaurant - and himself - on fire just before 4.30am on May 21, 2024. The man, wearing a black hooded jumper, inadvertently doused himself in petrol as he used a jerry can to pour the accelerant all over the restaurant. In the CCTV, the alleged arsonist is seen dropping to the ground in an attempt to extinguish himself before stumbling several times as he raced out the door. The man had arrived in a silver Mercedes Benz E240 which he rammed through the door of the restaurant to gain access. Detectives believe the incident is linked to the state's illegal tobacco trade and have established a special taskforce to catch those responsible. 'This is yet another example of just how unpredictable fire is and the inherent dangers of arson,' Taskforce Lunar Detective Inspector Graham Banks said. 'It is probable this man will have needed some kind of treatment for significant burns.' Det Insp Banks said he hoped the release of the CCTV footage would incentivise anyone who recognised the man to come forward with new information. Emergency services were called to the Al Marjan restaurant, on the Hume Highway, shortly after the man had fled. Fire Rescue Victoria said the business sustained minor damage from the incident. Detectives said the Mercedes used to ram through the restaurant's door has since been recovered with cloned numberplates. Al Marjan was attacked again several months later on November 6.
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Shocking moment arsonist sets himself on fire during restaurant attack in new CCTV footage
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. 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. 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. 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 4.30am on May 21, 2024. 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. '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.' He is described as approximately 170-175cms tall with a large build and an olive complexion. The Mercedes was bearing cloned plates at time and has since been recovered. Anyone who recognises the man or with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
