Man, 51, fighting for life with serious burns after alleged arson attack on Chapel St smoke shop

An alleged arsonist who suffered “catastrophic” injuries may die in hospital after he set himself alight while trying to torch a Prahran smoke shop on Wednesday morning.

An alleged arsonist who suffered “life changing” and “catastrophic” injuries may die in hospital after he set himself alight allegedly trying to torch a Prahran smoke shop on Wednesday morning.

Arson squad detectives hold grave fears for a man they say lit a Chapel St dessert joint and tobacconist on fire about 4.15am before his body also became engulfed in flames.

Three alleged offenders muscled their way into The Golden Lounge cafe – located next to tobacconist Better Choice Gifts and Smoke Shop – about 4.15am.

The trio was seen pouring an accelerant throughout before setting the cafe – and one of the alleged offenders – alight.

A man is fighting for life after setting himself on fire in an alleged arson attack at a Prahran smoke shop. Picture: David Crosling

Police say one of the alleged offenders was “visibly on fire” before the crew of men jumped in an awaiting vehicle and fled the scene toward Fitzroy.

Forensic investigators on Wednesday examined an orange Holden Commodore in South Yarra that is believed to be linked to the arson hit.

It has been seized by detectives who were also seen probing a public toilet block near Birdwood Avenue in that suburb.

Police and forensic team investigating a vehicle linked to the Chapel Street firebombing early this morning. Picture: Tony Gough

Police are also inspecting public toilets near where the orange Holden Commodore was left. Picture: Tony Gough

Paramedics were called to an address in that suburb just 45 minutes later following reports of a man suffering “catastrophic” burns to his body.

That man, 51, was rushed to The Alfred hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Arson squad Detective Inspector Chris Murray said the alleged offender’s “life may be lost” as a result of his injuries sustained in the blaze.

“We hope this individual will pull through but he has suffered significant burns as a result,” he said at the scene on Wednesday.

“We don’t know what the future holds … but as a result, this individual’s life may be lost.”

No one was inside the dessert cafe or tobacconist at the time and it is unclear which store was the intended target.

The tobacconist was subjected to a separate attempted arson attack on December 6.

The fire tore through the Better Choice Gifts and Smoke Shop at Chapel St, Prahran, also targetted in December. Picture: David Crosling

Several adjoining businesses were also heavily impacted by the fire on Wednesday.

Inspector Murray said the injured man’s alleged accomplices could face serious criminal charges if he succumbs to his injuries in hospital.

He said those tasking people with arson hits “couldn’t give a stuff” about any injuries or charges they incur.

“We hold them personally responsible, let me be clear about that. We hold those two personally responsible for the injuries suffered by the individual presently in hospital,” he added.

“They may be facing a charge of murder.

“Let me be clear about this. The individuals tasking them couldn’t give a stuff about them. Now we’ve got an individual that may die. We’ve got two other individuals that we hold responsible for his injuries.

“They did leave him for dead. He is now by himself fighting for life … and if he dies, we will be holding them personally responsible.”

Inspector Murray said he was extremely confident in arresting the two other alleged offenders, who remained on the run on Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s an unfortunately good start to an investigation, that is one of the alleged offenders has burnt themselves, which obviously indicates we will have a lot of leads,” he added.

“It’s a question of when.”

Emergency services respond to the fire at Chapel St, Prahran. Picture: David Crosling

There have been roughly 130 previous arson attacks linked to the underground smoke trade over the past two years in Victoria alone.

That number is believed to have surpassed 200 across the country in recent days.

Fellow bumbling arsonists were allegedly caught torching the nearby Lux Nightclub on Chapel St in November which closed the precinct for a lengthy period.

A separate Chapel St smoke shop, Harry’s Mart, was firebombed in June last year just metres from the scene.

Local Matt Lanigan said it was yet “another blow to small businesses” in the area.

“We’re in a bit of shock again,” he told ABC Radio on Wednesday.

“This is the third arson attack in the precinct in the last two months.

“Those businesses in that area suffered greatly during that two week period (after the nightclub fire).”

Road closures were in place between High St and Malvern Rd in both directions as emergency services assessed the scene.

Trams were also affected for hours on Wednesday.

Originally published as Man, 51, fighting for life with serious burns after alleged arson attack on Chapel St smoke shop