CCTV footage shows man allegedly setting fire to train in Melbourne

Remarkable footage has been released of the moment a man appears to set fire to a Melbourne train before walking off to board another service.

The moment a man allegedly set fire to Melbourne train before calmly walking off to board another service has been captured on CCTV.

Police released the remarkable footage on Thursday morning as they ramp up efforts to hunt down the man responsible.

The footage, captured by the train’s CCTV cameras, appears to shows the man pouring an accelerant across three seats out of a plastic water bottle.

He then appears to bend down and sets the seats alight, with the flames taking off and quickly spreading across the seats.

The man is the seen calmly walking out of the carriage and along the platform before boarding another train.

Leading Senior Constable Kendra Jackson said the alleged incident occurred while the train was stopped on platform three at Laverton station in Melbourne’s west about 11.10am on March 16 this year.

She said the man boarded the next Werribee-bound train and got off that service at Williams Landing.

“The fire caused damage to the seat and floor of the train which had to be removed from service to be repaired,” she said.

The man allegedly poured accelerant onto a seat and set them on fire at Laverton train station.

“No one was injured during the incident.”

Transit divisional response unit investigators have released the footage of the man allegedly responsible and have appealed for public assistance to help track him down.

The man is described as caucasian, about 30 years old, about 175cm tall and was wearing a dark cap, grey hoodie and black pants.

The man police would like to speak to over the incident.

He calmly walked out of the carriage after allegedly setting the seats alight.

He also had a blue medical face mask pulled down under his chin.

Police have urged anyone who may have in the vicinity of the Laverton train station about 11.10am on March 16 or anyone who may recognise the man to come forward.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as CCTV footage shows man allegedly setting fire to train in Melbourne