28-05-2025
Bumbling arsonist on the run with 'significant burns' after restaurant fire
An alleged arsonist is on the run from police after setting himself alight while attempting to start a fire in a restaurant.
More than a year after the arson attack, police have launched a search to find the bumbling firebug caught on security footage throwing petrol around a Campbellfield restaurant in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
CCTV footage shows a car crashing through the front doors of the hospitality venue before the suspect empties a jerrycan of fuel on the bartop, tables and floor before 4.30am on May 21, 2024.
He slips in a puddle of petrol while setting the restaurant alight and is engulfed in a fireball, CCTV shows.
The man fled the restaurant, still on fire, and attempted to get into the front seat of the silver Mercedes-Benz E240 sedan.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks said it was likely that the alleged arsonist required treatment after suffering "significant burns".
"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," he said.
Fire Rescue Victoria was on the scene quickly and the Hume Highway business sustained minor damage, police said.
But the business was targeted again, six months later, on November 6, 2024.
Police are hopeful that the CCTV will offer further avenues of enquiry and that someone may recognise the man in the footage and be able to provide information on his whereabouts.
He is described as approximately 170 to 175 centimetres tall with a large build and an olive complexion.
"Arson attacks put not only people's livelihoods at stake but also people's lives," Detective Inspector Banks said.
"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 said.
Anyone who recognises the man or with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at
An alleged arsonist is on the run from police after setting himself alight while attempting to start a fire in a restaurant.
More than a year after the arson attack, police have launched a search to find the bumbling firebug caught on security footage throwing petrol around a Campbellfield restaurant in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
CCTV footage shows a car crashing through the front doors of the hospitality venue before the suspect empties a jerrycan of fuel on the bartop, tables and floor before 4.30am on May 21, 2024.
He slips in a puddle of petrol while setting the restaurant alight and is engulfed in a fireball, CCTV shows.
The man fled the restaurant, still on fire, and attempted to get into the front seat of the silver Mercedes-Benz E240 sedan.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks said it was likely that the alleged arsonist required treatment after suffering "significant burns".
"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," he said.
Fire Rescue Victoria was on the scene quickly and the Hume Highway business sustained minor damage, police said.
But the business was targeted again, six months later, on November 6, 2024.
Police are hopeful that the CCTV will offer further avenues of enquiry and that someone may recognise the man in the footage and be able to provide information on his whereabouts.
He is described as approximately 170 to 175 centimetres tall with a large build and an olive complexion.
"Arson attacks put not only people's livelihoods at stake but also people's lives," Detective Inspector Banks said.
"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 said.
Anyone who recognises the man or with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at
An alleged arsonist is on the run from police after setting himself alight while attempting to start a fire in a restaurant.
More than a year after the arson attack, police have launched a search to find the bumbling firebug caught on security footage throwing petrol around a Campbellfield restaurant in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
CCTV footage shows a car crashing through the front doors of the hospitality venue before the suspect empties a jerrycan of fuel on the bartop, tables and floor before 4.30am on May 21, 2024.
He slips in a puddle of petrol while setting the restaurant alight and is engulfed in a fireball, CCTV shows.
The man fled the restaurant, still on fire, and attempted to get into the front seat of the silver Mercedes-Benz E240 sedan.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks said it was likely that the alleged arsonist required treatment after suffering "significant burns".
"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," he said.
Fire Rescue Victoria was on the scene quickly and the Hume Highway business sustained minor damage, police said.
But the business was targeted again, six months later, on November 6, 2024.
Police are hopeful that the CCTV will offer further avenues of enquiry and that someone may recognise the man in the footage and be able to provide information on his whereabouts.
He is described as approximately 170 to 175 centimetres tall with a large build and an olive complexion.
"Arson attacks put not only people's livelihoods at stake but also people's lives," Detective Inspector Banks said.
"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 said.
Anyone who recognises the man or with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at
An alleged arsonist is on the run from police after setting himself alight while attempting to start a fire in a restaurant.
More than a year after the arson attack, police have launched a search to find the bumbling firebug caught on security footage throwing petrol around a Campbellfield restaurant in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
CCTV footage shows a car crashing through the front doors of the hospitality venue before the suspect empties a jerrycan of fuel on the bartop, tables and floor before 4.30am on May 21, 2024.
He slips in a puddle of petrol while setting the restaurant alight and is engulfed in a fireball, CCTV shows.
The man fled the restaurant, still on fire, and attempted to get into the front seat of the silver Mercedes-Benz E240 sedan.
Detective Inspector Graham Banks said it was likely that the alleged arsonist required treatment after suffering "significant burns".
"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," he said.
Fire Rescue Victoria was on the scene quickly and the Hume Highway business sustained minor damage, police said.
But the business was targeted again, six months later, on November 6, 2024.
Police are hopeful that the CCTV will offer further avenues of enquiry and that someone may recognise the man in the footage and be able to provide information on his whereabouts.
He is described as approximately 170 to 175 centimetres tall with a large build and an olive complexion.
"Arson attacks put not only people's livelihoods at stake but also people's lives," Detective Inspector Banks said.
"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 said.
Anyone who recognises the man or with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at
