Man hurt, vape shop gutted in alleged arson attack
Police investigating the firebombing of a Brisbane vape store are looking at potential links to organised crime and tobacconist turf wars. WATCH THE CCTV
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Police investigating an alleged arson attack on a Brisbane vape store are looking at potential links to organised crime and tobacconist turf wars.
CCTV captured the moment two men tumble out the door of the Fortitude Valley shop in the early hours of Thursday, before one - the store owner - flees and the other - the alleged arsonist - goes back inside. He exits the building as fireballs explode from it, setting him on fire.
Emergency services were called just after 3.30am to the vape store, located next to Prohibition nightclub, following reports the building was on fire.
Police are searching for the alleged arsonist, who it’s believed walked into the Wickham St store with a gas bottle and jerry can.
He left the scene in a white van before police arrived.
According to a Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman, one man was assessed at the scene but declined to be taken to hospital.
Brisbane Regional Duty Officer (RDO), Inspector Jane Healy said it was extremely early into the investigation, with police urging any witnesses to come forward.
“At about 3.30am this morning, a person has entered the tobacco shop here, an altercation has occurred within the building,” Inspector Healy said.
“The owner, who was within the store at the time because it was open has gone out of the business, the other person has then come out of the store followed by an explosion.”
Inspector Healy said early investigations have been reliant on CCTV footage.
“Most of it has come from CCTV footage which shows that the man has entered the store and then a short time later, him and the victim, who is the owner of the store have come out in a scuffle, and then the victim ran away. The suspect went back into the store and then a short time later you could see flames coming out of the store,” she said.
A crime scene was declared soon after and investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.
Inspector Healy added that several leads were being investigated, including whether this was a targeted attack, potential links to organised crime, and any tobacconist turf war.
“All possible links are being investigated.
“We’ve had a number of tobacco stores that have been targeted. We can’t confirm whether or not this is one of those stores being targeted, but that link is being investigated.
“It is extremely early days and we still haven’t had an opportunity to get a detailed statement so until we can do that, we’re following up on any possible leads.”
It is understood that this convenience store had only been there for two to three weeks under its current management.
It’s not allege that the tobacconist has engaged in any wrongdoing.
Inspector Healy confirmed the owner of the store was “cooperating” with investigations.
“We still haven’t had an opportunity to get a detailed statement from the victim so until we can do that we are just following up on any possible link that may be there,” Inspector Healy said.
She said the crime scene remained in the hands of the Queensland Fire Department as of 11.30am.
“The smoke levels are still too dangerous for us to enter,” she said.
“The footage is a little bit grainy but it does indicate the (suspect) may have burnt himself or his clothes may have caught fire as he exited the store.”
Inspector Healy said the “burnt” remains of a shoe were recovered a “short distance down the road”.
“Given the state of the shoe that was found, it’s possible that he might have some significant burns,” she said. “We are looking at all avenues of inquiry and local hospitals and what have you are being canvassed.”
Inspector Healy said the suspect could have been wearing a disguise and was still at large.
“I believe the suspect may have been wearing some sort of disguise or covering his face, so at the moment we’re relying on being able to obtain CCTV footage,” she said.
“At the moment, the suspect is still at large. There was a vehicle at the scene and he did leave in that vehicle,” she said.
“There are some leads in relation to that vehicle.”
Edward Moller, who was walking along the footpath at the time, saw the whole incident unfold.
“I saw the guy race in there, he chased after another guy and started heading into him,” Mr Moller said.
“I thought he was going to get in that white van, but he just belted him up you know really bad.
“The moment he raced out of the store, the flames just come out.
“He then jumped into the white van and took off.
“The other guy ran and just called the police.”
Mr Moller said he had thought about entering the store just prior to the incident.
“I was looking in the store thinking would I go in there and get something,” he said.
“But then I decided not to.”
A religious man, Mr Moller believed he was being looked after in that moment.
“I think there might have been an angel protecting us at the time,” he said.
Publican Jason Hirt had earlier spoken to The Courier-Mail and detailed CCTV vision that showed the wild encounter.
“About 3.36 this morning, a gentleman walked into the shop here with a jerry can and a gas bottle, and within minutes, he’s wrestling with the owner at the front,” Mr Hirt said.
“He runs back in, and all of a sudden a massive fireball comes flying out the door.
“He’s caught himself on fire and driven off down the road and throwing his flaming shoe out the window.
“It’s a good start to Boxing Day but yes, it’s a bit unusual.”
A Queensland Fire Department spokesman said multiple crews responded to the fire.
“Crews responded to a fire at a commercial premises at 3.45am,” the spokesman said.
“The fire was under control at 3.55am and the fire was out at about 4.40am.
“We do have a fire investigator currently on scene.”
Wickham St between Gipps and Brunswick St was closed until about 7.30am.
Originally published as Man hurt, vape shop gutted in alleged arson attack
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