Police hunting escaped mental patient following attempted arson attack

Police are hunting an escaped mental patient they believe is responsible for dousing a house and woman with petrol, before trying to set them both alight.

Police are hunting for a man who attacked a woman and her home before trying to light them on fire. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Brendan Beckett

A man who fled a mental health treatment facility is wanted by police after allegedly attempting to burn down a house with a woman inside.

Police allege the man entered a property in Northcote, about 7km north of Melbourne, at 1.30am Saturday where he turned the gas on in the kitchen.

The man, identified by police as 25-year-old Bartholomew Griffith, left the home before allegedly returning with petrol at about 2.50am.

CCTV footage captured Mr Griffith allegedly buying the jerrycan of petrol.

He allegedly pushed past the female occupant, doused the entire house and attempted to ignite paper, according to Victoria Police.

Police believe the man responsible is 25-year-old Bartholomew Griffith. Picture: Victoria Police

He reportedly left a mental health facility before the attempted attack. Picture: Victoria Police

The 52-year-old woman at the address was able to lock a security door, but the man splashed both the house and woman with petrol and threw matches towards her.

He was unable to light the petrol and fled on foot.

Victoria Police said Mr Griffith is from Ivanhoe and disappeared from a mental hospital the same morning.

His family have grave concerns about his mental health and erratic behaviour.

Anyone with information about the incident or his whereabouts is urged to call triple-0.

Originally published as Police hunting escaped mental patient following attempted arson attack