Bumbling arsonist caught with pants down after botched attempt to torch Doncaster East eatery

CCTV footage has captured the moment a would-be arsonist set fire to his pants in an attempted attack on a Doncaster East eatery, with burnt undies found near the crime scene.

CCTV footage has captured the moment a bumbling arsonist set their pants on fire in an attempted attack on a fast food restaurant in Doncaster East on Christmas morning.

Two hooded figures dressed in dark clothing and armed with a jerry can and a small axe can be seen pouring a liquid accelerant over the front of the business on Doncaster Rd at about 2.40am on December 25.

As one of the offenders attempts to set the business alight, they accidentally set fire to their own pants, sending them hurtling down the street.

Their accomplice, who appears to be wearing Crocs, takes chase and helps to remove the flaming garments.

Police said the partially dressed pair fled to a waiting Toyota Tarago, which they believe was driven by a third offender.

Burnt underpants and other singed clothing items were found nearby the crime scene.

Police said the fire at the business was “small” and left a minor burn mark on the footpath after it was quickly extinguished.

Two hooded figures could be seen pouring liquid accelerant over the front of the business on Christmas morning. Picture: VicPol

One of the bumbling arsonists managed to find himself in a spot of bother after his pants caught fire. Picture: VicPol

Detectives from the Manningham Crime Investigation Unit released the CCTV footage and images of two people they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.

Springvale arson attacks

The appeal for assistance came as two tobacco stores in Springvale were torched on Thursday, forcing dozens of residents to evacuate their apartments.

Police say the offenders pulled up to the stores on Buckingham Ave in a white Toyota HiAce van about 2am on Thursday.

They set two other stores alight during the attack before fleeing as a resident in an apartment above the complex called triple-0.

Residents in all 20 apartments above the tobacconists had to be evacuated due to major structural damage caused by the blaze, but no one was injured.

An arson chemist attended the scene on Thursday.

It is not the first attack on the businesses, with detectives linking Thursday’s fire to another arson at the same stores on October 7 last year.

The mate of the would-be arsonist rushes to help his accomplice. Picture: VicPol

Burnt undies were found near the crime scene. Picture: VicPol

Head of Taskforce Lunar Detective Inspector Graham Banks said innocent people in their homes could have been killed because of the fire.

“We have been clear since these arson attacks started that it is only a matter of time before someone is killed directly because of one of these fires,” he said.

“Today we were very lucky but next time we may not be.”

Detective Inspector Banks said those residents would now be forced to find somewhere else to stay as they wait to find out the extent of the damage to their homes.

“It’s not fair and it’s not acceptable and we are doing everything we can to find those responsible for both lighting and directing the fire.

“If there is anyone out there who witnessed the fire or has any information at all about who is responsible, then I urge those people to come forward and tell us before this happens again with potentially fatal consequences.”

Victoria Police launched Taskforce Lunar in October 2023 following a spate of fires and violent crimes linked to a battle for control of Victoria’s lucrative black market tobacco trade.

More than 125 separate fires have been linked to the conflict in Victoria, with the war spreading interstate to South Australia and New South Wales in that time.

More than 100 people have been arrested and face extortion, assault and gun charges but it has done little to thwart the raging conflict between major Middle Eastern organised crime clans.

Among those battling for dominance over the illicit market are exiled crime boss Kazem Hamad, who is believed to have been instigating much of the conflict from Dubai.

He is understood to have wrestled a significant amount of control of the market from the rival Haddara crime family.

Former bikie turned pro fighter Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim has also long been at odds with Hamad and has had several smoke shops linked to him go up in flames.

Abdulrahim’s revival of the former Sydney gang Brothers for Life, which the Herald Sun revealed in May last year, is believed to have strong links to the illegal smoke trade.

Tobacco kingpins Dib and Hassan Barakat have also been gunning for their share of the market.

Anyone with information about the fires should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.