Man flees scene after suspected arson attack on Merrylands barber shop

Police say a clumsy arsonist who set himself alight trying to burn down a western Sydney barbershop could be linked to a spate of similar attacks on barbershops. WATCH THE VIDEO.

A police investigation is underway after a barber shop went up in flames in Sydney's west last night. Picture: Aymon Bertah

This is the bungling moment an arsonist set himself on fire while trying to burn down a Merrylands barber shop.

Incredible CCTV footage shows the man, dressed head to toe in black, running along Merrylands Rd about 4am on Thursday, carrying two objects - one of them a red jerry can filled with petrol.

The man can be seen stopping out the front of Merrylands Barber Shop and using one of the objects to smash the front window before pouring petrol from the jerry can inside the store.

But as he sets the fuel alight the man also goes up in flames himself, stopping, dropping and rolling around in bushes alongside the footpath as he tries to put out the fire.

The man then flees the scene before emergency services arrived.

NSW Police have since urged him to hand himself in, saying they knew how he arrived at the scene and that he had been injured.

Police at the scene in Merrylands. Picture: Aymon Bertah

Detective Superintendent Simon Glasser said police had established the man was dropped off in a silver hatchback before damaging the barbershop and using an accelerant to light it.

“We’re of the understanding that during the process, he himself caught fire,” Supt Glasser said.

“He was able to leave the area (but) we are unsure at the moment of his actual injuries.”

Police remained at the scene for several hours afterwards, with forensics inspecting areas in and around the premises.

Forensics officers inspecting the Merrylands barbershop. Picture: Aymon Bertah

Supt Glasser said the “people associated with the business” were known to police and recent, similar attacks on other barbershops in Sydney would “form part of the investigation”.

When asked what his message to the arsonist would be, Supt Glasser said “hand yourself in”.

“This is a serious offence, a targeted attack, which could have been far more catastrophic,” he said.

“Luckily on this occasion, the fire didn’t take hold, but it could have destroyed the building.”

Detectives have also been seen talking to a nearby butcher as inquiries into the whereabouts of the arsonist continue.

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Originally published as Man flees scene after suspected arson attack on Merrylands barber shop